Gold in the mud

BEAUTY IN THE MIRE

It is not an uncommon phenomenon to find beauty in the unlikeliest of places. Gold is dugged out of the mud, refined in fire, and taken to places where it is valued, cherished, and properly taken care of. The best things in life do not always come from the expected places, they break through their ceiling, they weather their storms, and fight against the grain to showcase themselves as elements of value and importance.

True beauty cannot be blurred, or obscured by any condition, it thrives wherever it finds itself, even in the mire. It is unstained by its society, does not ask for pristine conditions; it thrives, it is defiant and unapologetic. The beauty of imperfection is its ability to be moulded into perfection. Resilience, courage, and tenacity are not built in ease, they are developed through struggle in the midst of chaos.

We always seek beauty in the obvious places, we look towards the pristine for opulence, but we forget that value is created at the base and taken to the peak. Cristiano Ronaldo came from nothing, from the streets of Madeira to the global stage. Today, he lives in some of the most expensive mansions in the world, and is one of the richest athletes ever. Many have risen from places no one ever thought would produce anything of value. It was said of Jesus Christ, "can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" But He is the best thing that has happened to the world.

You are loaded with value, grace, and beauty, your origin does not define you, you bring value and honour to where you came from. You may not look like what you want to be, but if you do not relent, and you eventually get to where you want to be, you will not look like where you are coming from. Until gold is refined, it does not look like value; until diamond is polished, it does not look like beauty. Do not be afraid of the fire, on the other side of it is the polished, valuable, and beautiful you.

To a better you, Kamikun John.