Dear Me,

Happy Sunday,

How is everyone doing on this beautiful Sunday morning? Can you believe it, another weekend is coming to a close. I feel like I’m on the fast track to time slipping by. How about you? Is time flying right by you too? Shoot me a text or drop me a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

While yesterday my heart was heavy knowing that my amazing niece was dedicating her life to a cult, I did my best to focus on the positive. I think if I change my mindset to her dedicating her life to God instead of to a cult it will be easier. I just hope she always knows, no matter what she does in her life, she is loved, valued and she is amazing and so important to so many people.

Yesterday was a super lazy day for me. The only thing I did as far as chores was laundry and I didn’t even finish that. For the better part of the day I spent it on the couch. Oh, I baked a loaf of blueberry lemon bread from scratch. John sure enjoyed that.

Anyway, yesterday John and I watched a movie, took a walk and hung out. I finished a birthday gift for a friend. It’s a diamond art project. I sure hope she likes it.

Last night when we went to bed I was telling myself that it was okay that I didn’t unpack more boxes. I told myself that it was okay to just enjoy the day at home with no responsibilities. I didn’t have to do anything and for once, it was nice and I was able to enjoy my lazy day with only a slight bit of guilt. The only thing that was a must yesterday was walking the dogs.

I allowed myself to set a boundary for my Saturday. A boundary that I was allowed to sit and do the things I wanted to do and I allowed myself to say no to anything I wasn’t up to doing. I wrote a blog, I watched TV. I ate a few snacks that aren’t on my daily diet and I didn’t leave the house other then out onto my patio.

How fitting that I came across this little letter. It’s titled, ‘A letter to myself.’-Womanology.
Dear Me,
Take a moment to love yourself a bit more today than you did yesterday. Remember to make yourself a priority, because you deserve it. Your dreams are worth chasing, and every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to them.
Appreciate the blessings you have and be proud of how far you’ve come. You are a unique and shining star, a rainbow after the storm.
Embrace your journey, with all its ups and downs, for it has made you who you are. Celebrate your victories, learn from your challenges, and never doubt your worth. You are enough, just as you are. 

I wanted to share this with all of you because no matter who you are, man or woman, we all need to love ourselves a little more each day. I’m learning this slowly and it’s taken me over 50 years to even slightly consider the idea of putting me into the equation. It’s taken me all of my life to even consider doing the things I truly enjoy doing without the guilt that I’m not getting things done.

Everyone and everything isn’t my sole responsibility. It’s okay to take time for me.

With all this being said, I’ll share a little secret with you. I came across a 4 day writing retreat. It’s in Oklahoma and I’m seriously considering doing it. Ugh, the cost is more then I want to spend, but I really want to experience a writing retreat. I can only imagine the wealth of knowledge to be gained over the course of 4 days.

I reached out to my girl tribe last night and told them about the opportunity to go and I’m beyond blessed to have the support of my friends. Jeannie said, “go for it, your a writer.” Shawna said, “go, you don’t ever want to look back and have any regrets. Donna said, “you’re a writer. If you can make it work, go!”

I know there will be other opportunities for writing cons and retreats, but I have to ask myself, what am I waiting for? If I go on this retreat then it will be a little difficult on John since he works full time and his kiddo doesn’t have his license yet, therefore, John would have to work something out to get Grant to and from school, which is an hour from home. I really don’t want to add any difficulty to John’s work life and if I go, he will need to adjust his time.

I have to remind myself though, there’s always going to be something that could be a reason not to go. Sometimes you just have to do it. Things work out, don’t they?

This is a struggle I’m facing, but I know John and I can figure it out together. He truly is my biggest supporter. I just need to sit with him and tell him how much I want to attend the writers retreat.

Writing is my passion in life. It’s become so much more important to me then crafting. I love just sitting in my home and writing. I am looking forward to the weather cooling again so I can head to my favorite beaches and write. In the mean time, I’ll be heading over to the library and spending time there writing. Oh, the library sounds so good right now. To be surrounded by so many amazing books written by some of the best authors, hmmmm, that’s my kind of place to be.

Through my therapy and my writings I’m learning to embrace my journey. I’ve had some ups with an abundance of downs and every path I’ve been on has led me to where I need to be. Every step I’ve taken in life has made me who I am today. Sure, I’ve made some horrible mistakes. I’ve endured abuse and I’ve come out on the other side a better person. I’m learning that, even by myself, I’m enough. I’m who I am and I have very few regrets.

I sure hope you all feel the same about your life. I hope you have little to no regrets. I pray you are celebrating your victories, no matter how big or small. Embrace your challenges. Yea, I know, that’s not easy, believe me, I struggle with challenges everyday and embracing them is generally the farthest thing on my mind, but those challenges, they not only make us stronger, they show us who we are and who we are meant to be.

My dear readers, I pray you never doubt your worth. Let nobody cause you to doubt just how amazing you truly are. As unique as your fingerprint is, that’s how unique you are. You are enough. You are amazing just the way you are.

Next time you are doubting yourself, sit down for a moment in silence and reflect on the many blessings you’ve received over your life. Reflect on how far you’ve come in life and look to the future with all its uncertainties knowing you can do whatever you set your mind too. Take those chances and pursue your dreams. I know that’s something I’m going to try and do and I’m working on gaining the courage to attend the writers retreat.

For me to go to a retreat, alone, means to take myself completely out of my comfort zone and do something I never would have dreamed of even a year ago. Maybe it’s time I take a chance on me. If nothing else, it will be one heck of a learning experience.

Dear me. Dear you. “An open letter to future self. ‘Don’t forget to do what you love. Don’t ever stop writing, scribbling or acting-even if no one appreciates, even if no one cares, at lest you care. Find your own source of happiness.”-hubpages.com@theliliputian.

I’ll leave you with this final thought: What would your letter to yourself look like? What would you write to the little boy/girl still inside you? What would you say to your future self?

Think about this, “you are a unique and shining star, a rainbow after the storm.”

Now go write your best story, and don’t forget, until next time, Love Life++ Hugs.