What Remains

There are moments in your life when you wonder "What on earth did I gain from that experience?".  At these moments, it's almost always best to simply sit still for awhile and reflect.  You don't have to dwell on whatever the experience has been; although you already know it wasn't an enjoyable one.  Pray or meditate and reflect on your role in the situation...what you did or didn't do to affect the situation and outcome.  Try to see things as clearly as possible, accepting full responsibility for your actions.  Forgive others involved and forgive yourself.

Forgiveness may take time if you've been hurt or if you're grieving.  Likewise, your emotions can cloud your ability to see things clearly; therefore not allowing you to truly understand your role in a situation.  If this is the case, don't rush...growth takes time.  When the picture is clear and forgiveness has taken place, then you must face what remains.  Whether it's residual feelings, mental/emotional/physical scars, or tangible items...there is always a lesson to be learned.

Regardless of what you can add to the list, the lesson which remains is the most valuable good from any situation you experience.  The lesson usually takes the longest to learn because you must first forgive and understand your role.  When you find, understand, and internalize that which remains (your lesson), move forward with purpose in each step.  Celebrate what remains as a part of life that has made you smarter, wiser,  stronger...better.

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.

More Than Enough

Sometimes it's hard to accept who you are.  You may wish to be taller, shorter, lighter, darker, to have longer or thicker hair...but you are just who you were designed to be.  All that you are is so much more than what you see on the outside.  Don't spend your time or waste your energy comparing yourself to others or wishing to be those things which you are not.  Make the most of your time by learning yourself, your talents, your gifts, and your purpose.

Within you lies the ability to make someone else better, stronger, wiser, and more of themselves.  We all have a purpose...and you've been created with more than enough gifts and talents to fulfill your purpose.

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.

I'll Try

More often than not, people get upset or disappointed when they've been let down.  A let down can happen because an expectation wasn't met, a promise wasn't kept, or simply because no effort was put forth at all.

When someone vows to try to do something for you, appreciate it for what it is...effort.  Trying doesn't mean anything is promised or sure to happen except effort.  You know too well how it feels to hope for something only to be hurt or disappointed.  Don't hurt or disappoint yourself by hoping for far more than the effort to which someone may avow themselves.

Continue to hope and wish for everything.  The sky is the limit.  Simply set a boundary for your disappointing experiences by knowing when not to hope beyond someone else's abilities or word.  A small effort is better than no effort at all.

It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.