Elias Storge | District 2 | Done

Standing straight up was never a problem. Perfect poise and movement with purpose came naturally. It is the sign of a true leader, assured confidence. Size was not only set in six feet and two inches of height. Strength was not solely one hundred and eighty pounds of muscle. Appeal was not founded in physical attractiveness; the long brown hair, the soft brown eyes, the square jaw, the shy smile are only byproducts. It came from how you carried yourself. Wide strides, even tempo, smooth glides. You can dress it in jewels, layer it in fine silks, cover it with art but you cannot an ugly soul.

Care for yourself and your body will care for you, it is that simple. Take care of yourself, mind, body, and soul, and you will have no worries and no qualms. Problems will take care of themselves if you apply yourself and work through them. Nothing comes easy in this life, hard work and dedication are your only allies, luck is just a passing lover. Your calling will find you, it may be tomorrow or it may be the day you die. You’ll find it eventually without realizing it. Everyone has their own knack, do no compare yourself to someone else. Be the person you needed five years ago, be the person you would look up to.

Everybody is different, every body is unique. Their measuring stick is always different, their values are always unique. Figure out what your strengths are, find what makes your heart beat. What works for someone will not work for everyone. Do not fret for there are advantages in difference. Set yourself apart from the crowd and you’ll find likeminded individuals. Find your own style, replication is only Surround yourself with those with you share similarities; learn from those who are different from you. Do not look for permission on what you know is good, forgiveness will be given by those who matter. Do not beg for mercy or pity, cowardice is acceptable if it helps the greater good.

When your attempts fail you do not start over. You investigate and find the faults and repair. A problem is only a problem if you let it be. Nothing is truly broken until you can no longer make it do what it’s intended. A shattered pot just needs some glue, a blunt knife needs sharpening. A crack, a scrap, a jam, nothing is impossible to fix. Being at an impasse is only a mental state. There is nothing that can stop you when you know what you have to do. Opposing forces will come from both groups but do not fight them, it pays to be weary but rejection only makes difficulties. Share, learn, create, it is the natural order.

There are time when you cannot go any further. You’ll bend and scar but eventually you’ll reach the point you break. This is not weakness, this is strength: to know when you have to stop and step out shows you understand or have at least learned something about yourself. Take the care, the time to apply the bandages, dress the wounds properly, allow yourself to heal properly. You may bounce back like a child or find you take longer than others. That is fine. What is important is you understand the meaning of care. Be soft, be gentle, pour out love. Allow yourself to be vulnerable, allow yourself to let your emotions show. The most powerful people are those that allow themselves to cry. The strongest are the ones that have climbed from the bottom of life.

“When you were born I thought to myself one toddler was a handful, how was I supposed to handle two? Of course five grown children make me feel foolish. But no matter the overwhelming challenge it seemed you were always the easiest for me. I thought to myself I couldn’t have done it without you and your help. My biggest regret was that you never felt as engaged as the rest of us. Whether it was because of us as a family or you as an independent, I feel like I didn’t do my job as a mother by including you in family discussions. You never had the trophies or the grades to share at the dinner table and I always thought it was odd that you were so quiet when the entire family was together.

I was grateful you were so eager to be alone with everyone though, to know them as the person rather than as the group knows them. I remember our conversations were always the nicest, I could never repay how much you supported me when my father died. Those evenings when you’d come into my room when I was trying to cry alone, I’ll never forget you could always cheer me up. I think that’s why I was so concerned with you finding your niche and when you showed an interest in clothes I thought it was the most peculiar thing. Boy, was I wrong about you. I guess it made sense, you were always so eager to touch things, you loved working with your hands, you were so focused on minor details, and you had the best sense of style. I still always think what you would say when I see some new clothes and lord knows your father would look like a mountain man if it wasn’t for your advice.

Sometimes I still worry about you. I wonder if you always felt like an outsider to the family. Is that why you don’t come knocking as often or you forget to call as your siblings? I have no fear you are alright, though. I know you enjoy your space and your peace and quiet. Sometimes I’ll get the old melon-baller out and make a fruit salad when I think about you and every so often I find myself craving that old peppercorn chicken you perfected. I know I could always come around to your work and have you tailor some of my old clothes that don’t just fit right, but I don’t want to bother you.
Good luck out there, kiddo."