Sagittarian For Life

I'd grown up never really appreciating all of the great things possible for myself. Too early, I'd let my friends, family, and everyone I worked with push me down and not let my inner light shine. It was easier to just go along with everyone who thought they knew better than I did.

At school, I tended to stay to myself, hunched down at the back of the class, lost in my world of imagination. There I could be anything I wanted. When everyone around me was hooking up in real life, I kept to myself and delved deeper into my own art and writing. That way, I'd be safe. I wouldn't risk being hurt or let anyone see how scared I was to just be myself. Why would I? There was nothing special about me. I was nobody.

That was until I happened upon a small book on astral signs that outlined for me how stars actually control our destiny and our own inner selves. I was a Sagittarian - first degree, born right at the beginning of the month and had all of these attributes that had never had a chance to shine.

What if I actually tried being a little bit more like my sign actually suggested I was. More optimistic, spontaneous - even fun? Could I actually inspire anyone around me like the book said?

See, I think too much. Get caught up in my head and am quick to move on. If I can't master it immediately, I bail and, to be frank - the work required to being a little more out there seemed like more I was going to take on.

As I read more, I realized that these negatives, these other traits were actually a part of being a Sag as well! I'd over-intellectualized the whole thing and forgotten that true happiness for me might actually be achieved if I thought less about what I had to go - and just let go.

That's when I met Mina, the other Sag who loved sports and playing chess and was getting her degree in education so she could teach kids. She'd fully embraced the positive side of being a Sagittarian and was a great role model for me.

She was also beautiful. Inside and out. Not worried about how others felt about her, a heroine, a real-life loyal and passionate lover ready for me when I was ready.

All I had to do was convince myself that I can be that Mina and not the other Mina I started out as. I didn't have to be the commitment-phobic worrywart and by flipping the page, all I had to do is believe.

So, I started small every day. I learned to ignore the voice that told me I couldn’t and I put on the other Mina’s hat and tried just one thing at a time.

I spoke up when I knew the answer. I helped others at school, at home, and on the street. Being friendly and not worrying about the reaction. Sure, not everyone liked or even appreciated the new me – but it was a start.

By taking one positive thing I knew to be true about me every day, I grew into my star sign knowing that what I truly was is loyal, compassionate, and caring. Every time my old Sag stuff popped up, my new Say self was there to remind me not to listen to the grumpy worst version of myself. I started leaving notes in my books, bought myself flowers because I could, and played music in my room, dancing for me and not caring if anyone heard or saw me.

My name is Mina. I'm a Sagittarian and I love myself.