Love Your Mistakes

 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2016

Love Your Mistakes

You Will Do Foolish Things, But Do Them with Enthusiasm --anonymous 

Right now, I am here, where I am supposed to be! The boy has perspectives in my life and how I see others changed. Living with permanent facial paralysis has given me opportunities to live the life I was meant to live. I don't look back EVER! My eyes are looking forward with great enthusiasm.

One day last week, I lowered my standards and chose to react to a situation. I allowed another person's ignorant choice to get to me. I haven't felt anger like that in a long time; it didn't feel good and goes against everything I have worked so hard to change. Although I realize anger is a natural emotion that most of us have experienced, I felt shame and embarrassment for my reaction. Why? Because it is my choice to let anger engulf my thoughts and feelings, could I have handled this situation so differently? Within the moments after yes--Now? Not necessarily, a learning experience? Absolutely!

I have no control over another person's choices, but I do have over my own. Sincere love comes from inner freedom. One in which you are not controlled by the thoughts and negative feelings of others. Love leads to allowing your mind to be free of the world's view on healthy relationships. I've learned through the journey of loving myself love is kind-it's living free from the neurotic tangled messes in our heads of what the world defines love as. I have had to let go of my vulnerability and not let other people's negative influences penetrate me to the point where I lose control of that freedom.

I learned from this situation I could offer my compassion and goodwill to this person without agreeing with their decision. If I had stopped, taken time to think this person was having a bad day, or that they simply see things differently than I did, I could have avoided that useless anger I felt. This would have made a difference in their life, and I know it would have in my own life. 

My love would have been sincere, and their point of view was still validated, but without the bitterness, I felt. I have learned that what others do with the love I have to offer is on them, not me. All I could have done differently was to make that simple offering. I can love even as I disengage from tacky entanglements, wishing people nicely even if I need to step back. 

What is your life for?

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016

What is your life for?

Abraham Lincoln inspirationally asked the question:

"What is your life for?"
And answered his own question with this answer:
"It is for you."

I ask, "Do you love your life?"

I bought front-row seats for Hilary Weeks' concert a few months ago, and the show was held two weeks ago. I had no idea her Song Love Your Life would be her theme. I love Hilary! She is a woman after my own heart, trying to make a difference in the world with a positive, happy attitude.

Hilary's set was absolutely inspiring.

We only have one life to live, and I want to love my way through mine. There is so much negative influence in the media you don't need to search for it. Feeding your mind with constant adverse information is not only damaging to your soul, but it also affects your life.

You don't need to be monetarily rich to contribute significantly. So many people worry they need an amazingly great idea to be famous or influential, to make a difference. This is simply not true. I've seen small children make purposeful decisions that connect them with others. If we could all see the world through the eyes of a child, we'd see some amazing things.

Sadly, many people go through life believing that no one would miss them if they were to die. They genuinely think it would have been best if they had not been born-this saddens me and makes my heart hurt. I wish so badly for everyone to know their life matters; they are essential and alone can make a difference. How? By the small acts of kindness, they offer others daily. A smile says I care, and it does not cost anything. We each have a chance to draft our own story; it does not matter what adversity or trial you have had; make a choice every day to be happy and wake up with the attitude of joy and goodwill.

Intentionally make a difference in the lives of other people and yourself by making a difference with whatever you have, wherever you are. This does not require being in a position of power; it just requires you to be you. Love your life, and I promise it will rub off on the people surrounding you.  

My life is half over, and that is if I intend on living until, I am 106...I will!! Truthfully, I have spent the first half of my life selfishly worrying more about my problems. It took a life-altering experience to change my story; I now understand the only person who can write and finish my story is me...I am the author of my life, and I cheerfully realize there is no limit to the transformations I can and will make. 

Using my own life to positively impact and help change the lives of others is exciting. How powerful is it to completely control your thoughts and feelings? Once you understand and internalize this type of thinking, there are no limits to the change you can make in the world. If you have a heart and see a need to revise, you are on to something good; go with those feelings. Make a difference. Act on your instincts. Your passion will give you the leverage you need to make a meaningful change in someone else's and your own life.

Monya Williams

The Price of Beauty

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015

The Price of Beauty

I was recently at a training in Canada, as I religiously took notes I suddenly was struck with shock when I heard Mark (the trainer) tell a story about how much women pay for their beauty products.  I heard laughing from the audience, but I was in another world.  I was having an outer body experience. What is the price we pay for beauty?  I'm not talking about a monetary price, as Mark was humorously entertaining us with.
I had an ah ha moment, I wrote: Mark said, "believe me guys, there is a price for beauty...."
I immediately wrote down "For me, what I have learned about beauty from Nerium this past year is Priceless" My face is disfigured, it will never be the same.  I want that so badly, I want to look at someone and smile, smile BIG.  I want to show my teeth.  I can't believe I took my smile for granted.  Just like I took my hair for granted, the feeling in breasts for granted, being able to run and train for granted, I could go on and on..... I simply took everything in life for granted.
I cannot honestly say any of this is understandable, nor has it been easy.  I may not always please people with my honesty and truthfulness, however I know the Lord has gotten me through these past few years.  I have been refined, not defined by Him who loves me just as I am.  In my quiet time, when I spend thinking and pondering over why so much in my life has been hard there have been times I've truly wanted to crawl in a hole and die--I've wondered if anyone would even miss me, lost sometimes in despair.
Then suddenly my heart is filled with more love and an overwhelming feeling of His arms around me, pulling me up through that dark and empty hole into the light again.
I lived for so long not caring about others, not caring even about where I was going or where I should be.  I now know my life was intentionally and most humbly prepared for me before I even came to earth.  His grace has gotten me through enormously unbelievable circumstances.  Because I know He has made promises to me if I am righteous and obedient I will continue trying to live as He wants me to.  I will share Hope and Faith with others, I know the Lord will use me, he will lead and guide me to people who are in need.  This life for me is no longer about beauty on the outside, I ask Him to help me not turn from pain and to give me strength and compassion to help others who are climbing an uphill battle.
We all want to feel beautiful, external beauty, I know this because I have been that person.  There are still glimpses I take in the mirror that horrify me.  When I am weak, I know I have to move forward, never go back, never give up.  I am putting all my faith in unseen strong hands that I have felt comfort me and pull me to a higher ground.  I love that feeling, knowing He is watching over me, He knows me, He feels my pain and He understands my journey on this earth is not quite over.
Physically I am tired, my body aches my heart is full and yet I want to fight because I know there are so many more miracles to come to others from Him through me.  I don't feel comfortable sharing those sacred moments the Lord has so gracefully revealed to me I have more work to do before it is my time to go live with Him again.  He has lifted my burdens on so many occasions when I have wanted to give up.  When Sheldon died, one of those special moments came.  I truly miss him, and visit his graveside often. I'm not sure why, I haven't visited anyone's grave as much as his but I feel a peace there. I will never forget him telling me I looked beautiful when I was bald.  Eric tells me I'm beautiful everyday, he is so kind in that way and I appreciate it so much, but the day Sheldon said those words to me, it meant something different.  He stood there pale faced and bald himself and yet for some reason those words penetrated my heart like no one else ever has. Maybe because I trusted he knew how I was feeling, not just using "words" to succor the needy.
Every bit of the worlds definition of physical beauty has been taken from me.  So yes, there is a price to pay for physical beauty, but for me what I have learned about pure unconditional love and beauty in His eyes is priceless.

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