To Be Seen

These same words have appeared to me multiple times recently. To be seen. What does this mean? People can see me, right? I’m not invisible. Or am I? There are times when I feel like people are looking right through me or that they don’t see the real me. They see what is only outwardly visible but rarely take the time to see the inward me, the soul of me.

I took a moment to look up the word “see” in the dictionary:

- To perceive with the eyes; look at.

No, that’s not it. I think people can visually perceive me.

- To view; visit or attend as a spectator: to see a play.

No, not that one either.

- To perceive (things) mentally; discern; understand.

There it is! That’s the one! I want people to mentally see me, to discern or recognize who I really am, the “me” under all the layers.

I’ve spent most of my life not wanting to be seen, wishing to remain a wallflower as not to attract too much attention to myself. I never feel the need to be the center of attention. Yet I also would like to be seen for who I truly am. Not the person you see at first glance and not the person you think you see. There is an inner me that few people get to see. She is hidden under many layers of masks and camouflage. The layers can only be viewed by the few who take the time to discover the hidden gem within me.

That’s the part of me that I want the world to see.

To be seen.

As I truly am.

Hugs,