Understand

It isn't always good to say exactly what you're thinking. Sometimes your words can cause much more damage than your silence. Choose your words wisely.

You must learn, then understand how to use what you've learned to achieve the highest or best result. If you don't, you will repeat the same lesson until it sinks in and you finally get the "big picture". Learn now and/or pay for it now...because there simply may not be a later.

Your experiences and mistakes don't define you, but they definitely shape and mold you. I thank God for wisdom and understanding.

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

Frank

Honesty is always the best policy. There is never a time that you should lie or even fudge the truth a little just to feel better, or to make someone else feel better, about what you're saying. Your words ring true when they're true. Know that some people will never understand that.

Despite how honest you are and how sincere you may be, there will always be someone who doubts what you say to some degree. That's okay. Continue to be honest and sincere, genuine and kind with your words.

As honest, sincere, genuine, and kind as you may be...every once in awhile you have to be frank. You have to say what you mean in such a way that a person does not doubt your intent. Sometimes what you say may hurt others...as it should. That doesn't mean you should ever speak to be hurtful. It means that some people need to feel something to push them into action or change.

Frankly speaking, being frank can earn you the respect of those who may not even "like" you. Being honest is one thing. Speaking frankly lets people know that you have no agenda where they are concerned. People can respect a person who can be frank and sincere...not just kind and honest. It's something to think about.

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

Centered

Don't allow people to take you out of your good place, no matter what. People will bring their negativity, their lack of understanding, and their closed-minded thinking into your space (mentally and physically)...and they will leave you drained before you know it.

They will zap your energy, your smile, and your "feel good"...if you let them. Do what you need to do to get back on track. Pray, meditate, sip tea, listen to music, exercise...something. But get back to YOU.  Never allow anyone else or their energy to keep you away from your center.

Find your center.  Learn what it takes for you to stay focused and at peace - inside and out.  Make that a daily practice.  Then, grow, grow, grow!  Be at peace.

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

What Love Does...

Love is a powerful thing.  It is an action, a way of living, and an intangible good (a hot commodity, so to speak) simultaneously.  Love allows those who show and give it to others to be at peace and in love no matter the pain and discomfort they may face. Yes, being in love is so much more than merely a romantic notion.

Love allows you to see into and beyond pain to understand healing.  Love allows you to receive with an open heart without questioning motives and abandoning doubt.  Love teaches patience.  Love lends compassion.  Love is ever-reaching.

Love...

It warms.

It comforts.

It teaches.

It expands.

It broadens.

It softens.

It opens.

It accepts.

It forgives.

It gives.

Love. It's a beautiful thing.

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

Still Learning

Sometimes what you think isn't your reality.  Sometimes what you've learned doesn't apply.  Sometimes your logic just doesn't fit or seem to work.  There are times that you may still be amazed.  You're still learning.

Although "there is nothing new under the sun", as the saying goes, people will continue to strive to find new ways to do the same ole things.  That push for something new forces you to discover, to invent, and to create.  Nevertheless, sometimes you end up doing the same things your ancestors did...just in some refreshed or recycled manner.

The longer you live, the clearer it will become to you that it's okay not to know everything.  It's also okay not to do things the way everyone else does.  It's okay to be surprised sometimes...maybe even a welcomed experience.  It's okay...you're still learning.

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

Mind

Your mind can be one of the most creative, innovative, tools of beauty and wonder to ever exist...if used for good.  On the other hand, your mind can be one of the most unimaginably painful, deplorable, horrifyingly stagnating workshops of stress and strife...if you focus or fixate upon the wrong things in life.  The mind is a powerful thing...both beautiful and strong.

Stay focused.  Meditate or pray daily.  Remind yourself of your purpose.  Write it down and read it every chance you get.  Remember that you are here to fulfill a calling that is much higher than your own will or desires.  Remember that your mind strong, but your spirit is stronger.

Never allow your thoughts to override what you know is right.  Never allow your thinking to lead you astray.  Always be certain of who you are and whose you are.  Be confident and unwavering in character and integrity.  Let your light shine for all to see.  Don't think about any one thing too long or you may end up doing wrong.

Your mind does what you tell it.  Your mind follows and repeats patterns and habits...memorized behavior.  Develop good patterns, healthy habits, and positive behaviors.  Keep your thoughts clean and your mind clear.  You are powerful with a powerful tool at your disposal.  Use it wisely.

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

Letting Go...Again

It's time to let go when you notice yourself even thinking about holding back or feel that someone in your presence isn't genuine.  It's time to let go when you realize words are just words - not attached to good intent, emotion, or passion...empty.  It's time to let go when you begin to wonder instead of knowing.  It's time to let go when your confidence has been transformed into doubt.  It's time to let go when who or whatever you are connected to begins to hurt more than help.

Letting go isn't something that can and should happen in only one specific type of situation. It should happen whenever there is a major shift for the worse in any situation that no longer benefits you and any other parties involved simultaneously.  It's never about only you.  Letting go is healthy and a necessary part of life.  You simply have to recognize and understand when it's time.

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

Change

When relationships change it's hardly ever spoken of, but always felt.  It's hard not to feel when the energy or chemistry goes from fabulous to missing in action.  Remember, relationships aren't always romantic. They are familial and platonic as well.

When you feel change coming, be aware and clear about what it is you feel.  Talk about it to prevent harboring feelings of resentment.  No one likes to feel like they've been left out in the cold all alone - so don't create that feeling for anyone.  Be honest, loyal, and upstanding.  Never act like a person either no longer exists or that you know how they feel without talking things through...you could be totally wrong.

Never assume. Be forthright. If you act like a person isn't there...the next time you look around, they may not be.  Think about it.

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

Reach Out

There are times when reaching out is futile.  Regardless of how important it is to maintain contact, reinforce shared views, or to project your feelings...sometimes reaching out just doesn't work with some people.  There are times when one must realize that in order to reach out, there has to be something to reach for.  Otherwise, you're grasping at nothingness - like trying to find your way in the dark and not knowing what's there.  There are times that reaching out can be discouraging.

I am human.  Therefore, I am flawed.  However, I am an idealist.  I see things the way they are, but I think of the way they should be.  Reaching out reinforces the spreading of love and positive energy.  It supports expansion and being open minded.  However, it is important to understand that everyone does not and will not share or adopt this view.

In reaching out, understand that sometimes you may not be well-received.  Sometimes you may be shunned, turned away, or rejected.  Also understand that you could be embraced, welcomed, and appreciated for your efforts.  To every down, there is an up.  For every negative, there is a positive...yin and yang.  Yes, reaching out may, at times, be futile...but not always.  Don't stop.  Reach out.


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

Stress

Stress is leftover emotion and thought pent up in your body.  It needs an escape...a way out.  For your health and happiness, you must learn your natural stress relievers.  They can save your life.

Stress has a way of making it's presence known by tightening your neck or back, giving you headaches or attitudes, and pushing you to the highest levels of irritability.  Stress can also produce much more serious affects, such as those which result from strokes and heart attacks. 

It is imperative that you find an outlet.  You must seek out and find a healthy option that makes stress melt, or run, away from you.  For some, it may be cooking or fixing things.  For others, it may be meditation or prayer.  For me...it's cleaning and exercise.

Both allow me to focus on a goal and work steadily toward achieving that goal.  I can see and feel the affects of my success, which makes me feel good.  Get focused and have faith.  Be stress-free.  Find a way...you can do this!

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

Sometimes

Life can be puzzling.

Sometimes it makes you wonder why you're here.  You wonder if you should be here.  You wonder if you've done all you should or could have done with the time you've been given thus far.  You question every decision you've ever made.  You contemplate every action you've already completed.

Just as puzzling and crazy as life can be at times...sometimes it's just as fun and rewarding.  Keep pushing.  Push through the craziness.  Push through the conundrums.  Push through the confusion and chaos.  Push on until you reach your goal, your dream, or your aspirations.

No one can appreciate the reward after all your hard work better than you can.  You're worth it...keep pushing.  Sometimes you just have to.

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

Strange Things

Sometimes strange things happen in your life; things you wish you could explain, but can't.  There are times when you want answers to burning questions.  You may even feel as if you'd like all the puzzle pieces to fall into place at that very moment.  It is during these times that you must breathe deeply, trust yourself, and know that all things happen in their own time.  Relish the moments of bliss that are remiss of duties and responsibility.

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

Future

Dear Past,

I love you and appreciate all that you have helped me to become.  I respect what you've meant to me over the years.  But now it's time for me to move on. 

I won't revisit...only reflect.  I will strive to be all that my future is calling me to be.  I will love more and stress less.  You've given me endless experience --but you have no power or control over my decisions.

Best Wishes,
My Heart

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