Can You Take A Compliment?

When someone says hello, reply with a hello and a smile.  When someone gives you a compliment, reply with thank you.  When someone offers assistance of some sort, accept or reject it with a thank you and a smile.  When someone smiles at you, smile back.  These are simple cordial responses.  Being cordial or nice doesn't mean someone is trying to pursue you.

It's okay to be told how beautiful, handsome, gorgeous, or debonair you look...without it being flirtatious or forward.  Accept love in every form without question.  If you aren't accustomed to receiving various forms of love, just let go and try.  Practice makes perfect...that includes love and all of its manifestations.

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

Choice

Despite the differences of upbringing and backgrounds, every person was placed on a level playing field when it comes to choice.  We were all given the same power to choose.  What one's options are may vary, but the power and freedom to choose belongs to us all.  Only you can decide what you will tolerate, allow, accept, or settle for.

Some choices are harder to make than others.  It's very important that you take the time to pray and think things through.  Never rush into anything.  Always keep an open mind...always.  Mistakes are allowed, so don't beat yourself up if you make a wrong choice.  Everything happens for a reason...and most often, mistakes are accompanied by lessons.  Soooo...choose, learn and grow.

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

A Slice

The saying goes..."why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free" or "there's enough [pie] to go around."  What if this means you've resolved to simply accept what comes your way?  What if these sayings are actually hints to the lackluster idea of not being dedicated or shunning hard work?  What if this is the first step to settling?  When a person settles for a small portion of anything, most likely they won't put forth the effort to obtain the rest.  In your relationships, personal or business, it is imperative that you constantly reflect on your actions.  You must determine whether they are indicative of a desire for more or proof of the presence of complacency.

There is enough knowledge for every learner in the world.  There are enough people for every lover or friend.  There is enough love for every heart.  There is enough desire/thirst for every dream to be achieved.  There are enough flowers for every meadow.  Just as there is enough space in the sky to house every drop of rain until it falls; there are enough ingredients for everyone to have their own pie...not just a slice.

Do more.  Be more.  Give more.  Love more.  You are worth having your own pie, not simply settling for a slice of someone else's.

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

Peace

Peace is the absence of war.  Peace is the absence of chaos.  Peace is the absence of turmoil.  Peace is the absence of confusion.  Peace is the absence of disorder.  Peace is the absence of discord.  Peace is the absence of discontent.

Peace is the presence of harmony.  Peace is the presence of tranquility.  Peace is the presence of contentment.  Peace is the presence of serenity.  Peace is the presence of concord.  Peace is the presence of calm.  Peace is the presence of happiness.

You can't have peace of mind if you don't make peace with others.  Peace must occur within before it can occur on the outside.  You must be at peace with your past in order to move forward.  It's more important than your realize.  Peace is co-dependent with forgiveness...you can't truly have one without the other.

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

Deserving

There are some things in life that are earned, things that once you work hard enough for, you deserve.  Love, however, isn't one of those things. 

Love isn't for sale.  You can't buy it.  There is no thing or amount of work you can do to earn it.  There isn't a limit of what you could do for someone to deserve it.  Love is a gift...it's free.

Love was placed (by God) into the hearts of men (and women) to share and give freely to one another.  There is no prerequisite or criteria to be met in order to receive love.  The only criteria is for the giver - to love others as you love yourself.  Think again before you think/say a person isn't deserving of your love...if you are, then so are they.

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

Feelings

Sometimes, as humans, we get emotional.  We cry.  We smile.  We yell.  We hurt.  We get sad.  We laugh.  We get happy.  We share those feelings with those around us or closest to us.  At times, those feelings are expressed in a way that others don't understand.

It isn't anyone else's responsibility to decipher or decode any puzzles or hidden meanings.  It's our responsibility, as rational beings, to be clear in what we say and do.  It isn't our responsibility to manage anyone's feelings about, or response to, what we say.  We must constantly strive to improve in all we do...including communication.  Say what you mean and mean what you say. 

Feelings and emotions have a great impact on how we communicate.  Think first and choose your words wisely...they can be used as weapons of destruction or as tools for building.

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

Backwash

You wouldn't let someone sip from your drink and give you their backwash...you'd protect your drink.  So why wouldn't you protect your life and heart the same way?

People have all kinds of troubling experiences.  Likewise, it takes time and effort to heal holistically.  When you try to move forward to have new experiences without healing wholly, you make a conscious choice to allow emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual backwash to enter your life. 

You are your own gatekeeper.  You are the bottle cap.  Not everyone deserves a sip.  Be weary of who you allow access to your life and dreams.  Work on your holistic healing...don't be the cause of anyone else's backwash.

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