Puzzling

Sometimes it's hard to figure things out.  Sometimes situations are difficult to handle.  Sometimes it's easier to try to forget than to move forward.  Sometimes you want to abandon all reason and live leisurely without a care.  Sometimes everything just seems so puzzling.

You have thoughts, feelings, situations, responsibilities, wants, and needs.  How do you sort through it all?  Your emotions carry you like a wave carries lost wares to a beach...totally out of your control.  When to hold on, when to let go, when to give in, when to give up, when to trust, when to let go...how do you know???  It can be so puzzling!

It's all very simple...but not always easy to do.  Simply...be still.  Let things be.  Be patient and await your answers...you'll receive clarity soon enough.  Your puzzle will unravel before your eyes.  Believe me, I know it's hard...just wait.

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

Press

Never abandon the hope that you'll find love.  Don't think that someone isn't out there for you.  Don't assume that because everything doesn't happen in your time that nothing will happen.  Never look at the past to assume the future.  Press forward.

Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open for what's coming your way...it will come.  Live and love boldly...confidently.  Be yourself...be true to you.  Love yourself first and share that love with all who you encounter.  Love is in you and all around you.  As long as you give love, it will come back...eventually. 

It's beautiful to be you...pressing on for true love.

Sunshine

It's great to have it as part of your day.  It's so sad at times to see it leave.  It brightens everything around you and brings warmth to your life.  It gives you hot summers and warm spring days.  It makes almost everything seem beautiful.

Appreciate the sunny days, the good days.  Stormy nights may be amidst...not-so-good nights.  Practice patience, love unconditionally, and internalize all the sunshine goodness you can...while you can.  Use bits of the good days, sunny days...to get you through the bad days.  Use thoughts of laughter and good times to help you through the rough and sad times.  Don't forget to share your internal sunshine...smile every chance you get.

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

Take It Or Leave It

You are who you are and I am who I am.  Some promises won't be fulfilled and some expectations won't be met.  You must live today to shape your tomorrow.  Things will happen that you don't agree with.  Some people will come who you will not like.  Take it or leave it.

A love will break your heart.  Someone will gossip about you.  Someone will leave you...they may simply walk away.  There will be peaks and valleys...and you must go through them.  Things will happen...and you must deal with them.  Take it or leave it.

Daily you're given a choice.  You can accept what's given to you and what's done to you, you can react to what's given or done to you, or you can actively influence what happens to and around you.  Don't complain and just wait...choose and be proactive.  You ultimately have the choice to take it or leave it.

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

Do Something

So, you've awakened to a brand new day.  You can see the blue sky.  You can hear the birds, the people, and movement all around you...or maybe you just hear the quiet of the space you're in.  You can feel the kiss of the AC or the massage of the summer sun.  You can smell the spark of a weekend cookout.  You can even taste the snowball with all the fixins...before you're holding it.

It's summertime and you've awakened to be a part of it.  You can add your own special touch or flare to your surroundings.  You can choose to observe first, to see where you fit best.  You can choose to relax and just fit in with the landscape of the day.   Whatever you choose...do something.

This day is a gift to you...to do with it what you see fit.  Whatever your something may be, do it well.  Appreciate this day and all that comes along with it.  Add to it, take something from it, share it, remember it...do something with it.  It's your gift.

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

Love Note 7

Dear Love,

I promise to be there when you need me...to the best of my ability.  I promise not to give up on you...even when I'm disappointed or angry.  I promise to encourage you and support you...even when I feel discouraged.  I promise to smile...just so you can smile - it's contagious.  I promise to share...my thoughts, feelings, fears, and dreams.

I promise to accept you as you are...only working toward change with you and for the better.  I promise to listen, not just hear, when you talk to me and to give advice or wise words only as needed.  I promise to laugh and have fun with you.  I promise to focus on positivity to push negativity away.  I promise to do these things...even if you don't promise them to me.  I promise to be a friend.

Yours Truly,
My Heart

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

Love Note 6

A woman's love is strong, resilient, and tough.  Her love sees when her eyes cannot.  Her heart pushes her to act when her mind would not.  Her heart can be crushed...then slowly put back together again.  A woman's love never ends.

Women get hurt...and yes, it's excruciating pain to feel.  Some bounce right back; while others need a bit more time and space.  Women love to love...and to be loved.  Women will do anything within their understanding and power to do...just for you.  Women will love until it hurts...just to see you happy and smiling.

She'll love when it hurts.  She'll love when it's dangerous.  She'll love when she's tired.  She'll love beyond belief.  A woman's love never ends...just take care of her love if/when she decides to give it to you.

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

Love Note 5

Every love is different, new.  With each new love comes new experiences, lessons.  With each new experience and lesson comes growth.  With growth, hopefully, comes wisdom.  With wisdom comes enlightenment.

Let love take you to new heights and new places.  Open your mind to learn in ways you never thought you could.  Use your new knowledge wisely...to reflect and improve or to help another.  Allow yourself, through love, to grow beyond the borders and boundaries that others have set for you.  Begin to see a clear path toward your consistent personal improvement.

Love life and it will love you back.  Give love and it will be given to you.  Show others how to love through loving them and you will become a living legacy.

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

Love Note 4

Love is an act, but it's also something you feel.  To love is a choice.  To fall in love is totally out of your control.  To be in love is like a breath of heaven.  To feel pain in love is agony.

Love, in and of itself, is like a fine wine...it gets better with time.  Don't fear it, embrace it.  Don't run from it, make strides toward it.  Don't close yourself off from it, receive it willingly.  Love and be loved.

Don't propose the worst...hope for the best.

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

Love Note 3

Yes, it's hard to believe.  I know it's too good to be true.  No one is so open, so honest.  No one gives everything and asks for nothing in return.  Everybody wants something.

All I want is something true and pure.  I want a friend I can have fun with.  I want a friend I can laugh with...who can make me smile even when we're not together.  I want a friend...someone I can trust.  I want a friend...someone with character.  I want a friend who cares...and shows it.  I want you.

The question is...do you want me?  I know, I know...it's hard to believe.  It's too good to be true.  No one is so open, so honest.  No one gives everything and asks for nothing in return.  Everybody wants something.  I want your heart.
It's beautiful to be you...simply beautiful.

Love Note 2

Wishing to be where you are, to share your space, to know that you're near.  My wishes are of friendship...my desires of love.  I couldn't fake it if I tried...and believe me, I've tried.

I've tried to let go, from fear of losing myself.  I've tried not to feel a thing, from fear of feeling pain.  I've tried to walk away, from fear of being left alone.  I've tried not to share, from fear of not having you to share with.  I've tried not to love, from fear of not being loved in return. 

Fear is crippling...so I let it go.  I no longer feel it.  I'm walking with my heart wide open.  I'm here...with friendship to offer and I'm sharing my world.  I'm loving you...freely.

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

Love Note 1

In such short time, you've become the fabric of my dreams, the cause for the butterflies in my stomach, the thought behind my smile, the moment for which I dance...more than I imagined you'd be.

You've not become my god...simply, amazingly, terribly, wonderfully, beautifully...my love.

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

Things Past

The past is just that...the past.  Anything that did or did not happen in the past cannot be re-done or repaired.  Past hurt, past pain, past love, past successes or failures...it's all in the past.  You can not undo things past.  Things past will affect you as much as your thinking allows.

Focus on today and how you can make your tomorrow better.  Focus on new love, new success, new ventures, new experiences, and new knowledge.  Exercise your faith and walk into your destiny...one step at a time.  Learn from things past, but don't allow them to hold you in the past.  Do what's right; what makes you happy.  You get one life to live...live it well.

It's beautiful to be you...despite things past.

Full Circle

Everything comes full circle. 

Throughout life we're given an opportunity (or two) to witness something great, something momentous, something spectacular...something rare.  That opportunity affords us with the insight, experience, and knowledge to teach someone else...to enlighten someone else of what could be.  With that knowledge, we are charged with the task of empowering and improving the quality of someone else's life.  Through that empowerment, we pass the torch of enlightenment on to the next person.  Once we've fulfilled our duty, we can then begin the process of being given the opportunity to once again witness something great.

Sometimes we're afforded the good fortune of seeing our self-fulfilled destiny manifested in the lives of others.  We get the chance to see someone else enjoy the fruits of our labor...and it feels good inside.  We reach a point at which we can smile and know that we've added to the well-lived life of another.  It becomes easier to open ourselves to risks...all the while seeing opportunities.  It becomes easier to give back.

Your goodness and gracious acts toward others do not go unnoticed.  You will receive your just reward in due time...be it a smile, a thank you, a kind word, or just seeing the improved lives of those whose lives you've touched.  Don't fret about not being in the spot light, not having your name called, or not having everyone know who you are.  The quality of who you are - your character - is all that matters.  Everything comes full circle.

It's beautiful to be you...learning and giving.

Get To Know

It's fun to learn new things about yourself.  However, learning about yourself can be quite enlightening and kind of touchy.  It doesn't always feel good to learn about a not-so-good trait you possess.  On the other hand, it's very helpful to aid you in your constant reflection and growth.

It can be funny to learn what others see in you that you do your best not to reveal or make public.  It's also good to know that you're transparent...even when you don't realize it.  It's great to learn that your honesty is innate...something that you don't have to try to do, but comes naturally.  It's great to get to know yourself all over again.  Take some time...get to know you again.  You're worth it.

It's beautiful to be you...getting to know you too.

Giving Up

It's not ok to give up...no matter how hard the road becomes.  It's not ok to quit...no matter who talks about you.  It's not ok to throw in the towel...even when it hurts.  It's never ok to sell yourself out because of the problems, people, or lack that surrounds you.

You chart your course and proceed to navigate around the danger and pitfalls that come your way.  Yes, sometimes you'll experience pain (physically & mentally), jealousy, problems that you can't solve, or even issues within yourself...keep going.  Be determined to reach your goal.  Even if it takes awhile...prayer, reflection, determination, and tenacity will take you a long way.

Weigh your options.  Pray.  Make your decision.  Chart your course.  Stick to it.

It's beautiful to be you...even when you think about giving up.

Is This Real?

You've felt it, smelled it, almost tasted it...is it real?  You smiled when you saw it and you almost jumped for joy as your heart started to beat faster.  Could this be it...is it really real?  You feel like you've been waiting all your life...is this real?  Is this...real...life...love...success?

That moment you've waited your whole life for; the pleasure you get from seeing that "new friend", that new office, new car (even if it's just new-to-you)...yes, it's real!  That smile that comes across your face when you walk out the door to your car...is real.  That flutter in your stomach and sense of euphoria you get when you talk to him/her (even when you don't tell anyone you've felt it)...is real.  The confidence and hope that you feel when you walk through the door of your next opportunity (whether it's a job, contract, appointment, or interview)...is real.

Each feeling, thought, idea, or sensation you've experienced from having a taste of true love or success is real.  However, if you stop along this road to success...this road of love - you'll also see how real the feelings of sadness and regret can be.  Don't stop, keep on pushing!  It's all real and there's more to come!

It's beautiful to be you...living and loving.

Quality

Quality isn't produced by happenstance...it's something that's achieved through constant practice and improvement.  Quality is deliberate, well planned, and thoughtfully executed.  You could almost say it's innate.

Quality is the best you can give...the value, style, excellence, worth, extravagance, and luxury you put into what you do.  It's part of who you are.  You knowingly, and sometimes unknowingly, strive to achieve it in every aspect of your life...if that's who you are.

Quality doesn't happen by mistake; it's a persistent thread in all that you do...if you're a person of character.  Are you?

It's beautiful to be you...you pleasant thing you!

Understanding

It's ok to not understand everything.  Knowledge is no secret.  Understanding is no mystery.  However, all things are not meant to be known and understood by everyone.

We've all seen and heard of some idiotic situations and people.  We've tried to understand how people could do/say certain things...wasting our energy.  We've attempted to know all the angles, every possible problem...to protect ourselves.  We've even, through our attempts to understand, tried to make things right or better.

Learn what you need to enhance yourself and those around you.  Understand what it means, and what it takes, to use what you've learned to reach your goals and build your success.  Distractions will always be there to soak up your attention...at the worst times; don't try to understand why.  Stay focused and keep moving forward.  Accept the true love and support that comes your way and climb your Mt. Everest until you reach the top.

It's beautiful to be you...with your determined self!

Fathom

I can't fathom losing every thing.
I can't fathom having every thing.
I can't fathom losing everyone.
I can't fathom having no one.

I can't fathom being totally lost.
I can't fathom living without vision.
I can't fathom not having a dream.
I can't fathom living in utter apathetic bliss...

I can't fathom you not being all you can be because your surroundings or circumstances say it's too hard, the odds are against you, or you don't have enough knowledge, experience, or support.  It's your heart, your desires, your path, your life...live it well.  Can you fathom not having it to live?

It's beautiful to be you...unraveling your success!

What's Your Problem?

So you think you have big problems?  You think your life is falling apart?  You think you haven't accomplished as much as you should have by this point in your life?  You feel like you're in a race that has no end in sight?  Do you start each day already thinking about the end?

What about people you see in the streets; homeless, dirty, nowhere to go...with smiles on their faces?  What about the children you see everyday; dealing with adult issues in school, in their homes, in their communities...with hope in their hearts?  What about the many people abroad that you read about or see on the news who have experienced tragedies beyond imagination?  Do you really think your problem is that bad?  Do you think your worries are that overwhelming?  What's your problem?!

Put life into perspective.  Look at what you have that some people don't.  Think about experiences you've gone through that allow you to smile or say that you've learned something.  Yes, we go through hard times...and sometimes our hard time can't compare to someone else's.  Don't you think that alone is a reason for hope, for faith, for determination...to smile?  Think, believe, and smile through your problems...they won't be around much longer.

It's beautiful to be you...hoping, believing, and smiling beyond your problems.