Happy Friday,
How is everyone doing today? All is good here. Are you ready for the weekend? I am. Tonight, John and I are going to our friends for dinner to talk about our upcoming cruise. It’s a cruise buddies’ dinner. Last night John and I went to the Car Club’s drive in movie night, and we had an absolute blast. Lake life is simply, the best life for us.
Having date night with John is always the best. We connect on bigger levels. We laugh, we talk, and we bond even more. For me, our time together is always treasured. I’m grateful to his mom who knows the importance of us having time together and always being willing to take Grant for us. I appreciate her so much.
As you know from my last blog, I’ve had someone harassing me and I can say, it hasn’t stopped. The messages have gone from anger to “I love you.” Let me say this, it’s a total mind game and hard to deal with at times, however, I am keeping busy, and I am focusing my attention elsewhere. I am grateful though for one thing. I now understand the power someone has over you, if you allow it. I am understanding better how desperate people become and it’s a bit scary. I’m not in fear of anything happening, yet I can see how it could turn into a scary situation. I’ve learned more compassion for victims of stocking and other situations where at times, some find the need to go into hiding. I’m glad my situation isn’t to that level, and it hurts my heart knowing that for some, it is at that level and maybe even worse.
It seems fitting to share this quote now. I’ve been saving it for quite some time, but now, it’s time to share. “The bravest thing I ever did, was rebuilding when I did not even want to live.”-John Polo. I’ve been there and it’s a really dark place to be. I have talked to others who are there now and while I’ve felt this exact same way, I still am at a loss for what to say to them, other than, “I’m here for you and I will listen.”
Rebuilding a new life once you’ve chosen to walk away from the only one you’ve ever known is and can be the hardest thing you do. I watch tons of self-motivational speeches and they all basically say the same thing, “live the life you were meant to live. Be happy.” I think this is a fine line between just giving up or wanting to see if the grass is greener on the other side. The best advice I ever received was from my cousin Brian who said, “if you can say at the end of the day, you did everything possible to make your marriage work, and you can lay your head on your pillow and be confident with your choice, then you’ve done the right thing for you.” I took those words to heart, and I will forever be grateful to him.
I keep getting this reminder that pops up on my feed every once in a while, “I’m proud of the woman I am today because I went through one hell of a time becoming her.”-unknown. I’ve heard it said, what doesn’t break you makes you stronger. I can say with absolute confidence, that is so true.
My friend Leslie has known me for twenty years, and she says I’m so much stronger today then I was a year ago, and I believe her. It’s because of friends like her who continually encourage me to keep going and not to give up that I can say, I went through hell to get to where I am today. It’s been a learning journey and one that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Everything in my life has taught me lessons and I hope I’ve learned from most, if not all of them.
To all you ladies out there still fighting to find your way, “a shoutout to everyone who is trying right now… trying to do the right thing, trying to stay open, trying to keep going, trying to hold on, trying to let go, trying to find their flow, trying to stay afloat, trying to meet each new day, trying to find their balance, trying to love themselves, trying new things and new ways… I see you. I’m there too. we’re in this together.”-S.C.Lourie.
You are not weak for loving and taking care of yourself and anyone that makes you feel like you aren’t good enough isn’t worth the effort. I spent so much time trying to prove myself to others that it became impossible to measure up. I put my value and worth in someone else’s opinion of what they thought of me. When I learned and accepted the fact that I am as unique as a fingerprint, I was finally able to laugh at my many imperfections. I’m so far from perfect, yet, I’m perfectly made, just like you.
I want us all to remember these ten simple, self-love affirmations. Print them out and put them on your mirror and when you look at yourself and you start to become critical of those few extra pounds, or that neck that is beginning to wrinkle and age, or whatever other flaw you think you might have, repeat these affirmations and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be able to turn that frown upside down and begin to smile.
- I am inherently valuable.
- I am whole and complete as I am.
- My only competition is myself. I am continuously improving and continuously growing on my past self.
- I am learning to forgive myself.
- I carry an open, loving heart.
- I recognize my power and strength.
- I honour my needs, desires and boundaries.
- I am at peace with my mind body and soul.
- I am proud of the person I am becoming
- I am choosing to be gentle with myself, as a friend would be.
The affirmations are credit to @sustainableblissco.
The hardest affirmation for me is #7, honoring my needs, desires and boundaries. Setting boundaries isn’t easy, especially when you are brought up to believe that your thoughts aren’t worth anything. I had to be quiet unless spoken to. Furthermore, I had to agree with what was being told to me without questions, but that is my past and my future is so much brighter.
I am working hard each and every day to be the best me possible and let me tell you, it takes courage. It’s the bravest thing I’ve ever done. I am thankful to have a man in my life who reassures me each and every day that I am worthy to be loved. I am grateful to those who have stuck by my side through the good, the bad and the ugly.
I wanted to give a huge shout out to all those that follow my blog, you keep me writing and my favorite part about blogging is, getting comments from you. Please drop me a comment or give me a like if you enjoyed reading today and I do hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Go make memory or two and don’t forget, love life++
Love Life with Dawna 