Greeting card customized with Smilebox

Repeats

Most often, history repeats itself when you didn't learn your lesson the first time.  What do you see today that is reminiscent of your past?  Did you learn from the situation(s) you may have recalled?  What have you done to consciously prepare yourself for something new?  Or, have you found yourself in the same situations over and over again?

You can repeat an action out of habit.  You can repeat a thought due to unanswered questions.  You can even repeat a good dish with a good recipe.  However, there are some things that should be taught and learned only once.  Is it a proud moment when a child is doomed to repeat a grade in school?  Of course not!  He/she knows that there are things ahead that he/she should already be experiencing, but can't due to whatever unlearned lesson exists.

You shouldn't take your yesterdays into your tomorrows, so handle today with care and keep your eyes and ears open for the lessons that await you.

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

Practice Makes Perfect

Everyone has hopes, dreams, and aspirations.  Each of us were created to pursue our heart's desires.  However, after repeated failed attempts to achieve a goal, some people give up.  On the other hand, some people develop an even stronger drive to realize their ambitions.  Some people become desensitized and complacent with a mundane life absent of motivation.  Then there is another small group of people who constantly try and adapt to change...good or bad.

Our societal chameleons harbor the wild passion of a stallion and the tranquility of still waters.  They are as resilient as rubber and as tough as nails.  Seemingly, people like this are very strong and never have problems, worries, or stress over the many negative circumstances  that sometimes surround them.  On the contrary, this couldn't be farther from the truth.  Notably, practice makes perfect.

These experts of adaptation, societal chameleons, take life as it comes.  They don't harbor anger or resentment, bitterness, or jealousy.  They recognize if a situation isn't working in their favor and they adjust their plans accordingly.  They have learned, through practice, how to survive without giving in to the typical insecurities that plague the average person upon repeated denial, rejection, and pain.  They practice to be perfect at living well despite the circumstances of any situation.  The next time you notice a love seeming to fade, a wilted friendship, or any unfavorable outcome or condition of a situation...practice to heal, love, and live in spite of it all.  Practice makes perfect.

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

Spoken

There is more power in words than you think.  What you say matters.  How you say what you say matters.  When you say it matters.  Who you choose to speak to matters.  You must be selective about what you say to whom, how you say it, and when it's said.

Regardless of what medium is your orifice of choice, your words are spoken through it.  If written on paper or on the web, via text, spoken over the phone, or in person face to face...your words are used to convey thought and meaning to others.  Be sure that the intended meaning of your words is conveyed properly or they can be potentially deadly.  Your words can kill someone's spirit, courage, dreams, ideas, and/or self image.  It may take years to build up a person and their character, but it only takes a few words spoken in a few seconds to tear them down.

The spoken word can be a powerful tool or weapon...just be sure to use it to build and defend, not to destruct and offend.

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

Facetime

Face time is the quality time you get to look into someone's eyes as they speak; the time you get to have a really good hug.  It's harder and harder to come by each day.  You get face time from dozens of strangers and acquaintances everyday, but not always from those you'd like to have time with.  Although you may be able to email, text, or chat...nothing beats face time.  Real is always better.  How real are you with yourself?

When was the last time you spent time with yourself?  Have you spent any face time with you lately?  Time is money and money is time.  Money is replaceable, time is not.  It isn't endless, so you must use it wisely...including who you spend it with.  You are the most important person to consider having daily face time with.

Look in the mirror (mentally and physically) everyday.  Don't simply comb/brush your hair or brush your teeth...look at yourself in the mirror.  Decide, each morning, if you can live with who you know and see in that mirror.  If you can see yourself as confident, kind, caring, strong, and intelligent...act as such.  If you can't see the goodness in yourself each morning, take small steps toward achieving that goal.

However, if you can't look in the mirror...you have a bit more work to do.  No better time than the present to get started!  Face time...it's harder and harder to come by everyday.  You have to be real with yourself in order to be real with anyone else.

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

Love Note 9

Dear Love,

At times I hurt because of you, but I need you nonetheless.  At times I cry because of you, but still hold you close to my heart.  Sometimes I'm angry because of who is affected by you, but I know it isn't your fault.  Sometimes I'm so sad and discouraged because of what you allow me to experience, then quickly remove from my life...but I know everything has a purpose.  Then there are the days when all I do is smile...thanks to you.

The laughter is worth the tears.  The joy is worth the pain.  The discouragement is worth the strength.  The smile from one heart to another is priceless.  Thanks love.

Yours Truly,

My Heart

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

Moments

There are amazing moments in your life when you wonder how did I get here.  There are puzzling moments in your life when you wonder how did I get here.  There are melancholy moments in your life when you wonder how did I get here.  There are indescribable moments in your life when all you can do is stand in awe.  Nevertheless, no matter the situation, there will always be defining moments in your life.

The moments in your life will be defined by you or they will define you.  You will have moments in silence, moments in chorus with the world around you, moments alone, moments with loved ones, moments in the spotlight, and moments in darkness.  These times in your life are not predictable or foreseeable.  You can not choose, ahead of time, which is the right way to go.  You have to utilize the space you're in to choose "wisely" your action of the moment.

Don't decide to walk in someone else's shoes because you have one moment of weakness or a moment that you feel is unbearable.  Continue walking down your own path and your moments of strength and reassurance are sure to come with blessings to boot!  Be wise, be blessed...live, learn, and grow.

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