Whenever I look in the mirror, I see my scar. The eight-inch scar covers my back just under my left shoulder. This scar is the result of a congenital heart defect called Coarctation of the aorta, and it is from the heart surgery that I had to repair it.

This scar represents so much of my life. If it wasn’t for this scar, I would not have been able to lead a normal life with a fully functioning heart without any complications. But this scar has also been a large part of accepting myself. Although my scar is not fully visible unless you are looking at my back, I used to be embarrassed by it and covered it up by avoiding revealing clothing that had an open back to keep it out of sight. It was not until I got older when I learned to love my scar because no one really notices it except me.

Scars are beautiful. But often times, they are regarded as a flaw. Society portrays skin as being soft and smooth, but a scar is the exact opposite as it is jagged and rigid, making the surrounding skin anything but soft and smooth. Because of this, it is easy to hate your scar. Whether it is a surgery scar, an acne scar, or a scar from an injury, these marks are reminders of the past that have been left on your skin.

Your scar makes you unique. Instead of hating your scar and trying to cover it up, you should embrace it. It tells a story of what once was, and is a memory of who you used to be. This story can be told to others who ask about your scar. Accepting your scar allows you to recognize it as a part of who you are rather than a part of you that you would like to forget and cover up.

A scar also shows that you are stronger than whatever tried to break you. You were able to survive something because of this scar, and you should be grateful for that. For me, my surgery scar is a reminder that I was able to survive a birth defect that could have been fatal if not properly repaired.

My scar has also changed the way I view beauty. To me, a scar is beautiful because it is like art on the body that is different than just a blank canvas of soft and smooth skin. A scar is more than just a demarcation on the skin. Instead, it represents so much more. Scars are a symbol for courage, strength, and love as these are the virtues that the owner of the scar must possess in order to accept their scar.

Having a scar allows you to be different from everyone else, as it shows just how powerful imperfections can be. Since a scar is imperfect and does not conform to the ideals of society where the skin is soft and smooth, your ideals of beauty change to include your scar. So love yourself and your scar, because it is beautiful and not something that you should cover and be embarrassed about.