Connection

Sometimes you feel it...almost overwhelmingly strong.  Sometimes you can barely tell it's there.  At other times it's like a persistent thread that runs through the fabric of everything you do.  It's like your link to the rest of the world around you...connection.

Everyone needs it.  You need it to feel wanted, loved, seen, needed, liked, or even acknowledged.  It is imperative that each person feels connected to something or someone in some way to feel that their life has meaning.  Anyone not connected to someone or something may slowly, but surely fade away.  It's a human need that we're connected.

Don't fool yourself into believing that you don't need anyone for anything.  If only for a mental connection, we need one another.  No matter what you may have been through...regardless of how difficult or how tough; it's always easier to get through troublesome times when you feel connected.  Pray, meditate, share with someone, care for a plant or animal, commit yourself to a project...get connected to something or someone.  As simple as it may sound; it helps you cope with daily stress.

It's beautiful to be you...connected and meaningful in all that you do.

Circumstances

Life happens everyday...good or bad.  Planned or unplanned, situations will come your way.  The circumstances surrounding every situation you encounter can and will bring out the best or worst in you.  As crazy as it may seem...the world has a way of relegating your worth to your circumstances.

What you do with the issues that surround you, how you respond to them; will determine how others view you - whether their perceptions are true or not.  Image is everything when people don't know you from the inside out.  No matter what, hold your head high, think things through, and do what's best for you in your situation.  The circumstances will change...eventually.

Don't let circumstance determine who you are.  Practice and display integrity, patience, determination, dedidcation, and kindness.  Who you are will shine through your circumstance as long as you remain consistent.  Life happens everyday...good or bad.  Circumstances will change...be the constant.

It's beautiful to be you...even when you don't know what's coming next .  Don't worry about what everyone thinks.  Do what's best for you. 

Baggage

We always seem to view baggage in a negative way.  I don't mean baggage in an airport luggage kind of way.  The baggage I'm referring to are the leftovers you've retained that have resulted from the not-so-nice experiences - heartbreak, mistrust, lack of vision, mistakes, or even failures - that have happened during your life.  Those indescribable feelings, those unspeakable thoughts, and the unexplained actions or preconceived ideas...are all leftovers.  The leftovers become baggage in your cargo bay - dead weight in your heart.

Why let the leftovers dictate what you'll have for dinner?  Simply take a trip to the grocery store, get fresh ingredients, and whip up an exciting, new meal!  Don't be confined to what you think is the only way, the only option, or the only outcome.  Open your heart, your mind, your ears, and your eyes...accept and embrace your new experiences.  Don't just run away because things may appear similar to something you've seen before.

Dumbells are heavy for a reason.  They'd be dead weight - just lying around - unless you use them.  Pick up your baggage and use it for some good.  Put it to use and learn from it...without allowing it to hold you back.  Don't allow it to weigh you down; use it to make you stronger. 

It's beautiful to be you...so strong and beautiful.

Corner

The corner is a special place.  You can see and not be seen...in the corner.  You can observe all the passers by...in the corner.  You can get ready for whatever is coming your way...in the corner.  The corner may make you feel under pressure, but you'll come out shining like a diamond.

Take your time observing, learning, and practicing.  Try again and again until your craft is perfected.  Don't give up now; you've come too far.  It doesn't hurt to be the unrefined material in the rarely traveled foothills of a mountain.  Be still and wait...in your corner.  Your patience is a virtue and will pay off in due time.  Nestle yourself in your corner of the world until the ever-persistent treasure hunter comes to claim you as his own.  It's alright to be chosen last...the best usually are.

It's beautiful to be you...such a gem you are!

Chances

Everyone takes a chance sometime.  Every time you make a choice you take a chance.  You take a chance that you'll act and your efforts will either succeed or fail.  If you don't take action, your decision gets stale. 

When you act on your decisions, you make a statement that you're willing to try.  Trying is taking a chance...a chance that things may not work.  Don't be afraid.  Pray, breathe, and take a chance.  Have faith and walk into the unknown knowing that everything will be alright.

Life is full of chances.  Each chance can be viewed as opportunities or risks...it all depends on your perspective.  A chance - an opportunity to gain new experiences and additional opportunities OR the risk of mistake or failure.  Remember, you can learn from a mistake and try again; but you won't get the same chance twice.  Step out, take a chance, life life without fear.  Live life loud.

It's beautiful to be you.  Stay lovely.

It's Time

I've been away dealing with life for awhile.  I learned a few things to bring back to you.  It's time to share.

1. Trust your friends.  They help you even when you can't help yourself.
2. Trust yourself.  If something feels right, even if you're afraid, go with it.  You only live once.
3. Appreciate the people who give you unconditional love and support...they and what they give you are hard to find.
4. Work hard, play harder.  Enjoy yourself while you can.  You work hard everyday for the things you want and need.  Take time to relax and recuperate your mind, body, and soul.
5. It's ok to love, even when you get hurt.  It's better to have loved than to not have loved at all.  Enjoy every second of bliss while it lasts.  True love never disappears anyway.  What remains will be what you need.  If it's friendship, you have a gem; if it's a lesson, you have a nugget; and if it's both you're truly blessed.
6. Appreciate the differences in others.  Everyone won't do things the way you do or the way you think they should...but that doesn't mean they're wrong or lacking integrity.  Appreciate the differences in yourself and others so that you can begin to see life from various perspectives...it broadens your horizons.
7. Know when to see the big picture.  Don't let a something small get in the way of what could be something great.  Just because you made a mistake doesn't mean you have to drop a dream, project, or new endeavor.
8. Know your limitations.  When you know you can't handle it: step back, take a breath, and get your mind together.  Then, come back refreshed and ready to go with new energy, new ideas, or just an open mind.
9. Don't be so afraid that you run away.  Face your fear head on.  Your friends and/or family are your support.  Divide and conquer your fear...with the help of your supporters you will defeat whatever has frightened you.
10. Live, laugh, and love...loud!  You have a life given to you by God...live it well.  Laughter will help to mend a broken heart...you will experience one eventually.  Love regardless of what you think the outcome may be...love will come back to you.

It's beautiful to be you...especially when you can share what you've learned.  You're wiser now.

Alright

I woke up with a song in my heart...not knowing that the message in the song was meant to prepare me for my day.  Having no idea what I was in store for, I made up my mind that everything would  be alright.  It's just like Him to give you a little inspiration to prepare you for the storm. 

Know yourself and your limitations.  Affect change when and where you can.  Do your best and don't worry about the rest.  Things that you can't change will work out in way that will be best for you...even if you don't like it.  Do what you can do and everything will be alright.

It's beautiful to be you...especially when you're ready for what's ahead.