The world is so harsh these days. I mean think about it..girls have to be skinny, have boobs, wear tons of make-up, and act ditzy in order to be "beautiful" (so says the magazines) and guys have to be skinny, yet buff and drive the nicest cars. What has society come to? It makes me sick to think that these are the rules and regulations that run the world right now. I fear that one day when I'm a mother, that my daughter never feels like she isn't skinny enough or pretty enough for society to accept her.
There are so many things wrong in this world and I believe that this concept of "beauty" is one of the main things that could so easily be fixed. If the world stopped telling us what was beautiful to everyone; beauty is not something that you can pinpoint. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is one of the truest statements that has ever been spoken. Beauty comes in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, as cliche as it sounds, it is true. You cannot tell me what everyone thinks is beautiful because everyone is NOT the same person. Just like you can't pinpoint exactly what is considered to be "ugly" or "hot" because we all have different opinions.
I'm coming at this from a women's point of view seeing how as I am a woman, but I don't just speak on behalf of women, this goes for men to. Women stereotypes get called out more than men because they seem to have much more of an effect. Although this may be true, men stereotypes can be just as bad. Men don't let it show, but it effects them more than what society reveals.
It's so difficult to just want to feel beautiful sometimes. I feel like I have to wear the right clothes or make sure my make-up is just perfect. Sometimes it is a real drag to have to make myself feel beautiful enough. I just want to be able to walk around in sweats with no make-up on and my hair up and feel beautiful. I want people to have to see me for me, no fronts, no masks, just the real, true beautiful me.
One of the most liberating, humbling experiences I have ever had when it comes to beauty is something called "Confidence Week". It was a week full of no mirrors, no make-up, no hair products, just a white t-shirt, and jeans. It was the coolest thing in the world. People started to recognize that something was different and I believe it truly changed lives. It was awesome to see how many people actually participated. I headed it up at my youth group and from there spread it throughout all the different schools in my home town. It was awesome to walk down the hall and see people I didn't even know participate. Although I've only done it for one week out of my entire life, it really put things into perspective for me.
It just really proved to me how much time I actually spent getting ready in the morning, doing my hair and make-up. We should never spend that much time on ourselves just so other people like us. This world has its ideals; they have completely failed the human race, there seems like there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. FALSE.
Change your ways. Don't stand behind what the world values. If you think someone is pretty tell them, if you like someone's outfit or hair just let them know. You might feel weird or think they'll freak out if they don't know you, but honestly it's one of the easiest, most liberating feelings in the world. You know how awesome it is to be told that someone likes something about you? And I mean that's coming from someone that knows you and you usually spend time with. Imagine if a stranger did that to you! They don't know your story, your past or the mistakes you've made, they simply see you for you. It is amazing what a few kind words to do for a person.
You don't know where someone stands in their life just by glancing at them, you could be changing someone's life. You could be the reason they choose not to take their life or choose to smile at the person every one is putting down. Good actions have good repercussions and a good deed does not go unnoticed. It starts a chain reaction whether you live to see it or not. You know, if you know the negative effects of something bad happening, how can you not see the joys and awesome things that could come from something good? Not to mention, it's making a positive impact in someone else's life.
Just take a moment to think about how good you feel when someone compliments you. Why would you not want to make someone feel that way? There's no excuse for not going out there and showing the world that there is a positive light somewhere. I know it's hard and you might get discouraged, but don't. Just think about how it makes you feel. You know you want to make a change in someone's life, then do this. It's a simple task. Although you may feel like you really won't make an impact this way, I'm going to tell you you are wrong. Have faith that what you say and who you say it to will be a light for the world.
I want to challenge you. Next time you like a guy's shirt or think a girl is pretty, let them know. It might not be tomorrow or next week, but don't hold back. You never know what can come from it. Why not take a chance? Learn to live, but do it positively.
Until next time....
xoxox
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
* Almost Lover ♥
The craziest things happen in this outrageous world these days. You never know when someone is just going to get up and walk into your life...or walk out of it. The hardest part is not knowing. Being human, we don't like the unknown. We want to know everything as soon as possible and we want to know everything about it.
When people walk into your life, it's one of the best things that could happen. I love meeting new people and making friends. People can be so awesome sometimes and you honestly never know what could come of it. Never judge someone before getting to know them. You don't know their story or most of what has happened to them. Sometimes, just learning someone's story can show you how much you are alike or how much you can relate to each other.
Listening to someone else's story is such an incredible experience. There's no better way to grow and create a bond with a person. Learning to listen, LISTEN not hear, is such a key aspect in any type of relationship. Listening can be just as important as talking and giving advice. I know people like to talk but we all need to learn to listen too. Sometimes listening is exactly what the doctor has ordered. Learn to listen or work on it if you know you struggle, it is super important.
Along with that, be open. Open minded, open hearted, and just plain open. Don't ever hide how you are feeling with someone who cares about you. Don't lie to them and tell them you are okay if you aren't. We are human, we are NOT mind readers, don't assume that someone knows how you feel if you have yet to say out loud how you do feel. Emotions can be conveyed so many different ways and everyone interprets them differently. Just because someone is smiling on the outside doesn't mean that they are truly happy. Never be rude to someone for no reason and never expect anything in return from anyone for whom you do a good deed.
Don't ever go around bragging. Live life for yourself. Do not base your life on someone else's. Don't make decisions based on what someone else is doing in their life. You live your life for you or you aren't truly living life. Living life has so many different meanings to the phrase. Don't let anyone tell you that in order to "live life to the fullest" you have to party, get drunk, have sex, do drugs, or anything you don't want to do. Living life is doing what you want, enjoying life, loving people who love you back, and being able to accept and love yourself for you.
Do good deeds. Don't do it because you want people to like you. Don't do it because you feel like you have to. Don't do it for "bragging" rights. Do it because you are a good person. Smile at someone who seems not happy, say hello..for once, put your phone in your pocket while you are walking in public and pay attention. You will notice so many things that you never knew where there, even if you walk the same road or side walk every day twice a day. You never know how much a smile can mean to someone. Pay for someone's lunch or Starbucks. Leave someone a little note, send a random text letting them know that you are thinking about them.
There is no time to spend your entire life fighting. Don't waste your time on someone who sucks all the happiness out of you. Pray. Don't give up. Always perservere and move on with life. You are stuck in this life until God decides it is time for you to come home. Don't push away someone you care for because you are afraid to get hurt. We are human, everyone makes mistakes and everyone gets hurt. That's why you keep the people who love and care about you so close. You can always fix a fight, but you can't always get someone back after they are already gone.
Losing someone is something I believe to be one of the hardest things we have to deal with in this life. Whether it is them passing or someone walking out of your life or you walking out of their life. You can never just forget someone that made an impact on your life. Their footprint has been imprinted in your life and their signature in your book of life. Life is a crazy wild ride, don't be too afraid to get on the bull...if you fall off, dust off your jeans and get right back on. At least you won't be sitting around wondering "what if?" your entire life.
When people walk into your life, it's one of the best things that could happen. I love meeting new people and making friends. People can be so awesome sometimes and you honestly never know what could come of it. Never judge someone before getting to know them. You don't know their story or most of what has happened to them. Sometimes, just learning someone's story can show you how much you are alike or how much you can relate to each other.
Listening to someone else's story is such an incredible experience. There's no better way to grow and create a bond with a person. Learning to listen, LISTEN not hear, is such a key aspect in any type of relationship. Listening can be just as important as talking and giving advice. I know people like to talk but we all need to learn to listen too. Sometimes listening is exactly what the doctor has ordered. Learn to listen or work on it if you know you struggle, it is super important.
Along with that, be open. Open minded, open hearted, and just plain open. Don't ever hide how you are feeling with someone who cares about you. Don't lie to them and tell them you are okay if you aren't. We are human, we are NOT mind readers, don't assume that someone knows how you feel if you have yet to say out loud how you do feel. Emotions can be conveyed so many different ways and everyone interprets them differently. Just because someone is smiling on the outside doesn't mean that they are truly happy. Never be rude to someone for no reason and never expect anything in return from anyone for whom you do a good deed.
Don't ever go around bragging. Live life for yourself. Do not base your life on someone else's. Don't make decisions based on what someone else is doing in their life. You live your life for you or you aren't truly living life. Living life has so many different meanings to the phrase. Don't let anyone tell you that in order to "live life to the fullest" you have to party, get drunk, have sex, do drugs, or anything you don't want to do. Living life is doing what you want, enjoying life, loving people who love you back, and being able to accept and love yourself for you.
Do good deeds. Don't do it because you want people to like you. Don't do it because you feel like you have to. Don't do it for "bragging" rights. Do it because you are a good person. Smile at someone who seems not happy, say hello..for once, put your phone in your pocket while you are walking in public and pay attention. You will notice so many things that you never knew where there, even if you walk the same road or side walk every day twice a day. You never know how much a smile can mean to someone. Pay for someone's lunch or Starbucks. Leave someone a little note, send a random text letting them know that you are thinking about them.
Don't ever let go or forget. There will be those people who are in your life and everyone comes in or goes out for a reason. They may be there for a season or just one simple reason, but don't forget. Whether they were a good or bad impact, you learn a little something from everyone who comes into your life. Never regret anything, and by that I literally mean anything. Life is too short to live it full of regrets. Cliche I know, but it's the honest truth. You did what you did at that point in time because it was what made you happy. Yes, it might have just been temporary happiness, you might not want to make that mistake again, but it's happened. Done and over with. There is no such thing as a time machine and you cannot go back and change the past. Accept it. Love life and move on.
There is no time to spend your entire life fighting. Don't waste your time on someone who sucks all the happiness out of you. Pray. Don't give up. Always perservere and move on with life. You are stuck in this life until God decides it is time for you to come home. Don't push away someone you care for because you are afraid to get hurt. We are human, everyone makes mistakes and everyone gets hurt. That's why you keep the people who love and care about you so close. You can always fix a fight, but you can't always get someone back after they are already gone.
Best friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, cousins, and any other person that might be important in your life, TELL THEM. Don't just assume someone you love knows that you care or love them. Reassure them. Always check in, make sure that they are doing well. Ask what you can do to help. Tell someone you are going to pray for them and actually do it. Don't mess up relationships by letting life get in the middle. Sometimes things happen and people grow apart, that's the way life works. If you care for someone, don't let them slip through the cracks. Keep those you love near and dear to you. Don't let your grip slip from them. Keep your head up and your shoulders strong, so you can always be ready for someone who needs you.
Don't expect anything from anyone. Always do what you believe is right and don't change how you feel because someone told you it's wrong. Keep your faith strong. Cry if you need to, it's not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of pain leaving the body. Scream, yell, punch things. Don't hold it in and let it bottle up.
I could go on and on about this. I'm sure there will be more to say one day. Until then...
xoxox
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
* y o u *
You know, I think one of the hardest parts of this life is relationships. Any type for that matter. Friendships, relationships, best friends, acquaintances, and just with people around you. This day in age it's like you have to have some sort of "title" for every person that walks into your life. It is truly sad that everyone can't just get along and there has to be rumors and petty fights. Life would be much easier if everyone just loved the way Jesus does.
I may not have the best relationship advice, but I have plenty of friendship advice. I have been through enough in my little amount of time that I have been on this earth and trust me, it has all contributed to the person I am and becoming. I haven't always had the group of friends every girl has, honestly my sisters have always been my best friends. I'm not one to just have someone in my life for a little while; if you plan on coming into my life, plan on being there for a very long time.
My very best friend is still one of my best friends. We've been best friends since kindergarten and although we've gone our separate ways, we are still best friends. See what I mean about staying for a long time? Next to her, my other best friend I met through a mutual friend. She has been my rock for the last three years and I wouldn't change it for the world. We are inseparable when we are together but rarely get to see each other anymore.
I love my friends so much. I know the ones I have made in college will last a lifetime and I am super excited to see what God has in store for us. I have a hard time trusting people, so they know once they earn and gain my trust, they are in it for the long haul. I have learned the hard way about trusting people. The saying "there's always a little truth behind every just kidding" is something that I believe whole heartedly. If someone is using that as an excuse to put you or someone else down, don't believe it when they say "just kidding", it is today's equivalence to "no offense but". Just because you say that does not mean you have the right to insult someone.
I try to live by these principles myself although I am still human, I make mistakes. My friends know me, I'm not going to blindside anyone coming into my life. I tell them straight up how I am. I know I have my own share of faults that God and I are working out, so I never want anyone to be surprised if something happens that would seem "unexpected" to them. I am a believer in second chances only when they prove that they truly deserve one. I'm not one to just hand out second chances because I've been doubly burned doing that before. Why give someone a second chance when they aren't sorry about what they did in the first place? They have got to be completely sincere.
When it comes to relationships, I am very careful to guard my heart along with my mind. Although I've only ever had one relationship, I think I learned a lot in the three and a half years. Relationships are tough and don't ever let anyone tell you differently. That might sound extremely pessimistic, but it is the cold hard truth. Why would you want to go into a test thinking you didn't have to study knowing the rest of your life could depend on it? You wouldn't. Same idea with a relationship. Relationships need to be worked on by both sides. The most important part of having a relationship for me is having God in the center. Without Him, how is it going to work? Let me tell you, from my experience, it doesn't. Life is so much easier and ENJOYABLE with God being in your relationship with you.
You know people are going to let you down sometimes. But God doesn't and He's always right there for you. I know this because I've been there. Trust me, break ups are not fun. I mean, yeah I've only gone through one, but heck...that's the only one I ever want or need to go through. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for God and my friends and family who have helped me through, literally carrying me through this.
Relationships are difficult and they're really touchy subjects these days. Word to the wise? Do not let anyone else into your relationship with your significant other. Hence why relationships are only two people. Don't go around flaunting your problems or telling people everything that happens in your personal life. That makes the struggle that much harder. And be open! We are humans NOT mind readers. If something is going on in your head, express it. Do it in a kind way, don't just explode. There's always a solution to every problem, you just have to voice it.
Do not let things go unnoticed. You let one thing slide, they think everything is okay. Do not settle for less than what you deserve. Being treated like crap or a side chick? Kick him to the curb, there's no use in that. There's someone else out there that is going to treat you the way you should be treated and you'll be glad you gave the opportunity to treat you well. There are so many more things to be said about relationships, but those will have to wait until next time...
xoxox
I may not have the best relationship advice, but I have plenty of friendship advice. I have been through enough in my little amount of time that I have been on this earth and trust me, it has all contributed to the person I am and becoming. I haven't always had the group of friends every girl has, honestly my sisters have always been my best friends. I'm not one to just have someone in my life for a little while; if you plan on coming into my life, plan on being there for a very long time.
My very best friend is still one of my best friends. We've been best friends since kindergarten and although we've gone our separate ways, we are still best friends. See what I mean about staying for a long time? Next to her, my other best friend I met through a mutual friend. She has been my rock for the last three years and I wouldn't change it for the world. We are inseparable when we are together but rarely get to see each other anymore.
I love my friends so much. I know the ones I have made in college will last a lifetime and I am super excited to see what God has in store for us. I have a hard time trusting people, so they know once they earn and gain my trust, they are in it for the long haul. I have learned the hard way about trusting people. The saying "there's always a little truth behind every just kidding" is something that I believe whole heartedly. If someone is using that as an excuse to put you or someone else down, don't believe it when they say "just kidding", it is today's equivalence to "no offense but". Just because you say that does not mean you have the right to insult someone.
I try to live by these principles myself although I am still human, I make mistakes. My friends know me, I'm not going to blindside anyone coming into my life. I tell them straight up how I am. I know I have my own share of faults that God and I are working out, so I never want anyone to be surprised if something happens that would seem "unexpected" to them. I am a believer in second chances only when they prove that they truly deserve one. I'm not one to just hand out second chances because I've been doubly burned doing that before. Why give someone a second chance when they aren't sorry about what they did in the first place? They have got to be completely sincere.
When it comes to relationships, I am very careful to guard my heart along with my mind. Although I've only ever had one relationship, I think I learned a lot in the three and a half years. Relationships are tough and don't ever let anyone tell you differently. That might sound extremely pessimistic, but it is the cold hard truth. Why would you want to go into a test thinking you didn't have to study knowing the rest of your life could depend on it? You wouldn't. Same idea with a relationship. Relationships need to be worked on by both sides. The most important part of having a relationship for me is having God in the center. Without Him, how is it going to work? Let me tell you, from my experience, it doesn't. Life is so much easier and ENJOYABLE with God being in your relationship with you.
You know people are going to let you down sometimes. But God doesn't and He's always right there for you. I know this because I've been there. Trust me, break ups are not fun. I mean, yeah I've only gone through one, but heck...that's the only one I ever want or need to go through. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for God and my friends and family who have helped me through, literally carrying me through this.
Relationships are difficult and they're really touchy subjects these days. Word to the wise? Do not let anyone else into your relationship with your significant other. Hence why relationships are only two people. Don't go around flaunting your problems or telling people everything that happens in your personal life. That makes the struggle that much harder. And be open! We are humans NOT mind readers. If something is going on in your head, express it. Do it in a kind way, don't just explode. There's always a solution to every problem, you just have to voice it.
Do not let things go unnoticed. You let one thing slide, they think everything is okay. Do not settle for less than what you deserve. Being treated like crap or a side chick? Kick him to the curb, there's no use in that. There's someone else out there that is going to treat you the way you should be treated and you'll be glad you gave the opportunity to treat you well. There are so many more things to be said about relationships, but those will have to wait until next time...
xoxox
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