photo: Annie Spratt
Loving Yourself #Blossom
Thankful, ....but what a crazy year 2018 was!?
Each year, after my birthday, I write a principle that stood out or shaped my innermost... yep, I know it can't just be one thing that shaped and sharpened me in a year! No, but surely a highlighted principle...a theme, you could say. Something waterproof to keep the leaks out!
I started writing and then stopped... nope this isn't it.
Sometimes we force things because we have 'deadlines'... but how can one force matters of the heart?
Most of my life has been spent looking up to people, offering up a whole lot, loving or supporting them... when that love is not returned it can be pretty painful, even though this is not the reason one should love... Maybe the why of that love was not pure to begin with? OR people just experience love differently to the way we give it (Love Languages).
I don't want to upset anyone so I shut my mouth. In the end, there is so much conflict warring inside of me, trying to keep a lid on everything, keep all the ducks in a row - just don't offend anyone. When push comes to shove, what l really feel boils over and I end up offending people, spending loads of time in the dog box...
ME:
ALSO ME:
So what to do?
The problem in my case were mostly boundaries not really respected. Also because I have a habit of saying yes, to not offend. (The wolves will get to you little lamb!) BE YOU. The world will adjust.
But, I have come to learn that when I don't respect my 'no' others will not respect it, I also need to consider that relationship when that person continues walking over me... Does this person really have my best interests at heart?
We hear: I LOVE YOU, but how much does that love really weigh? Will it blow away at the first sign of a storm, like a feather? How deep is it? How far will they go with you? and the harder truth: Didn't we know that it starts with us???
photo: Javardh
photo: facebook
So in short: I had a horrible 36th birthday and many bad days before and after that. This is why you are only reading this now. Even though many tried to make the time special, in the end it was mostly about me keeping a whole lot of people happy, instead of just enjoying the day the way I wanted to. Maybe it's a women thing? A Mom thing?.... We don't always think we are enough or deserve it, then we end up missing out! Those are times we will never get back!
How ironic! Women were built and fashioned in such a unique way; they flourish, blossom and function at their best when they are loved and cherished...only to step into this world where women don't always feature on the priority list, they are objects, slaves, neglected, taken for granted, voiceless, considered of lesser value, abused....everything but.
"Blessed is the woman, who rises up in truth and takes a stand for herself, who allows her voice to shine even when others quiet her down, a woman who has the freedom to communicate how she feels, may her heart never go unanswered with anything unrequited, may she be met with the fullness of love, breaking man-made barriers and silly conditions."
God is your Rock, Woman. He continually loves and cherishes us no matter what! The eternal kind. Don't bet on the likes of people. These truths are what we need to meditate on and this is what arms us for the fights of life. If we continually trust God, keep our hearts steady in His truth, remain firm, protect ourselves with wise no's and yeses, we'll pretty much make it out, fully knowing that we are loved :)
"Bloom & Blossom, love yourself with your life. Prioritize yourself and your health. How can we nurture others, when we are not nurtured?"
How ironic! Women were built and fashioned in such a unique way; they flourish, blossom and function at their best when they are loved and cherished...only to step into this world where women don't always feature on the priority list, they are objects, slaves, neglected, taken for granted, voiceless, considered of lesser value, abused....everything but.
"Blessed is the woman, who rises up in truth and takes a stand for herself, who allows her voice to shine even when others quiet her down, a woman who has the freedom to communicate how she feels, may her heart never go unanswered with anything unrequited, may she be met with the fullness of love, breaking man-made barriers and silly conditions."
God is your Rock, Woman. He continually loves and cherishes us no matter what! The eternal kind. Don't bet on the likes of people. These truths are what we need to meditate on and this is what arms us for the fights of life. If we continually trust God, keep our hearts steady in His truth, remain firm, protect ourselves with wise no's and yeses, we'll pretty much make it out, fully knowing that we are loved :)
"Bloom & Blossom, love yourself with your life. Prioritize yourself and your health. How can we nurture others, when we are not nurtured?"
photo: Annie Spratt
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
I believe that we all lead right there where we are. If you are home with the kids (you are leading that little army) or leading a corporate business or project? You are leading! Everyone won't always be HAPPY with you and with your decisions, but you need to stay focused on WHAT your task is and WHY you are doing it. PLANTED IN TRUTH, YOU WILL BLOSSOM.
Corinth 7:23 NIV
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
So there you have it, my messy 36th Principle.
"Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed. (Ps. 34:5)
#be-loved
"Let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else;
if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching;
if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone."
photo: Rob Walsh
a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire
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