I'M NOT EVERYONE'S PRETZEL THIN

I have been packing lunches for my two oldest sons who are home from college and working for the pool company who is installing our pool. Our grocery bill has doubled having all the boys home but I love it. In one of my now frequent visits to the store for more snacks and lunch foods, I was in the deli/bakery area where they keep those Pretzel Thins, well, that's what we call them; they're actually called Crisps. Gosh I love them in hummus or with cheese. My oldest requests the plain ones and dips in cream cheese, 2nd oldest likes a flavored ones like the Jalapeño Jack and the youngest has a sweet tooth so the cinnamon sugar and chocolate are right up his alley. On this particular trip, I couldn’t believe how many varieties of these pretzels are now on the market. Then ironically, when I was looking at my phone in between putting snacks away, this popped up on my feed and it got me thinking about waaaay more than pretzels.

It got me thinking about how not everyone likes the same things including people. About how sometimes we twist ourselves to fit someone’s else’s version of us. I take it personally when someone doesn’t like me. I think I’m cool and heartfelt so why don’t they? The devil sits on our shoulders and whispers things in our ears like “she doesn’t like you,” “you’re not worthy,” or “you don’t belong here!” There’s so many reasons why people won’t like you or want to be around you.

People won’t like you because you’re nice.

People won’t like you because you’re rich or poor.

People won’t like you because you’re thin or heavier.

People won’t like you because of the color of your skin or hair.
People won't like you just based on the way you look....period.

People won’t like you because you’re no longer on their radar at work, school, church, etc.

People won’t like you based on gossip, miscommunications or assumptions.

You get the picture. FLICK THAT DEVIL OFF YOUR SHOULDER RIGHT NOW! The only person you truly need to like you is God and you got that sista because he loves us all no matter who you are, what you do or what you look like. Your flavor and your style won’t be for everyone and that’s ok. If you have to twist yourself like a pretzel in order to maintain a relationship or get someone to like you, it’s not worth doing. I’m not everybody’s pretzel thin but I am the flavor my family and true friends love. And I bet you’re just the right amount of spice and sweet for your loved ones too. Beautiful and twisted in life in your own way.

Similar Dress HERE // Earrings HERE // Sunnies HERE

PS: AND if we’re really being honest, I like a buttery, hot, fat dough pretzel waaay better than the pretzel thins anyway...they look plum anorexic, lol.

HAPPY MONDAY ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL SOULS!!

LINKING-UP with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop //  Cooking & Crafting with J&J // Clever Chicks Blog Hop //  Tuesday Talk with Ashley & Erika
xoxo

THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF LOVE

Hey, if the Biebs says so then Listen up!! ;-)

Let's talk about the Importance of Loving Yourself.

From when we’re small children we may remember continually being told to follow the Golden Rule to “treat others as you would want to be treated.” Even the Bible tells us the second great commandment is to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39).

So one might assume that in order to fully love another person, it’s important to have and develop that love for yourself. We live in a time where all over the media we’re being told what to buy, how to dress, how we should look, what to eat, and the list goes on. It seems impossible to keep up with these expectations. It’s easy to get caught up in these ideas, and when we’re too focused on our flaws, we miss moments to love and appreciate ourselves. 

We are all children of God. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us regardless of if we’re meeting the world's criteria. Why it’s important to start with self-love though is because ultimately we are the ones responsible for our own actions, choices and the outcome of those actions and choices. We cannot give to someone else what we don’t have and likewise we cannot get from someone else what he or she doesn’t have. Having this knowledge and allowing it to change us brings self-confidence, optimism, peace, and happiness into our lives. 

Self-love is not all about “me, me, me”; but it starts with “me” so that we can build a strong “we”.  Think of self-love as the foundation of a happy and full life, but not the full expression of it. The full expression of Love comes when we give Love away and because of the Love we have for ourselves, the more we gain.

Self-love is important because it is remembering where our power is. As we begin to be filled with this Love, we then pour it on to others in our lives.

Don't I always say, we just need to love on each other! So today, I'll add to that to love on yourself too!! Do something for YOU each and everyday! 

Linked up with Wordless Wednesday // Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Titus 2 Tuesday // Brilliant Blog Posts // Grace At Home // Inspiration Monday
xoxo