What made me happy today? You are beautiful.
Close your eyes for a moment, and think about what you don't like about yourself. How many things did you come up with?
Close your eyes again, and think about what you like about yourself. How many things did you come up with this time?
I'm going to take a guess here, but chances are that you can name a lot more things you don't like about yourself than you can name things you do like about yourself. Am I right?
Why is that? Is it because of what you see in the magazines? Look again.
Is it because of what you see in the windows of fashion stores? That's changing.
Is it because you were / are being bullied for being different? Listen to this.
You are beautiful. You really are.
Remember what Edna said about supermodels in the Incredibles? 'Supermodels. Heh! Nothing super about them... spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves.' Even though this might be a bit of a harsh statement, there is a grain of truth in it. The beauty standards set out by the fashion industry and magazines is unrealistic.
Even I am influenced by all of this. For the longest time I wouldn't wear shorts, because I was scared about what people would think when they see the scars on my leg. Do you know how many bad reactions I've had about them? None. Yes, some people were looking at them, but that's unavoidable I guess.
I'm just happy to see that the tides may be turning at last. Because you are beautiful. Even if you're not a classical beauty. Even if you've always hated the way your nose looks when seen from a certain angle. Or if you don't like your freckles or scars. They're what makes you you.
And if everyone looked the same, this world would be much more boring, no?
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Monday, December 9, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Life's little wisdoms
What made me happy today? Coming across a list of little life lessons written by a 90 year old on FB. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200264303957069&set=a.4234747473748.175892.1437285044&type=1&relevant_count=1
The list goes as follows:
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...
14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
22. The most important sex organ is the brain.
23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
25. Always choose life.
26. Forgive but don’t forget.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
31. Believe in miracles.
32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
34. Your children get only one childhood.
35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.
39. The best is yet to come.
40. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
41. Yield.
42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
I have two tips to add to this list:
43: Always wear sunscreen.
44: Eat your fruit and vegetables. Your health is important.
Life has many lessons to teach us, and we all get taught different things. But some things are true for everyone.
Then again, don't take life too seriously as you won't survive it any way ;-)
The list goes as follows:
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...
14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
22. The most important sex organ is the brain.
23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
25. Always choose life.
26. Forgive but don’t forget.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
31. Believe in miracles.
32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
34. Your children get only one childhood.
35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.
39. The best is yet to come.
40. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
41. Yield.
42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
I have two tips to add to this list:
43: Always wear sunscreen.
44: Eat your fruit and vegetables. Your health is important.
Life has many lessons to teach us, and we all get taught different things. But some things are true for everyone.
Then again, don't take life too seriously as you won't survive it any way ;-)
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