Talk about vulnerability! This book is making me smile one page after another. She's sharing stories of her life and lessons she's learned and it's just piercing my heart!
But before you think this whole post is about me gushing about Oprah Winfrey... let me share something I read and let's discuss shall we?
"Beginning when we are girls, most of us are taught to deflect praise. We apologize for our accomplishments. We try to level the field with our family and friends by downplaying our brilliance. We settle for the passenger's seat when we long to drive. That's why so many of us have been willing to hide our light as adults. Instead of being filled with all the passion and purpose that enable us to offer our best to the world, we empty ourselves in an effort to silence our critics. The truth is that the naysayers in your life can never be fully satisfied. Whether you hide or shine, they'll always feel threatened because they don't believe they are enough. So stop paying attention to them. Every time you suppress some part of yourself or allow others to play you small, you are ignoring the owner's manual your Creator gave you. What I know for sure is this: You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more. To be more splendid. To be more extraordinary. To use every moment to fill yourself up".
Yes, Oprah! YES!!!
The other night I was talking to my husband about our relationship and such. We have recently joined into the military life and with it comes some major changes. There will be many weeks and months ahead where I'll be alone. But not really.
I have grown to love the woman I am. I haven't already felt this way but now as I type those words I know it's true. I love myself. It's a journey and we're all on different paths to self-love but I believe that the more we love ourselves, the more we have the ability to accept love from others. When we love ourselves, we give ourself permission to be loved. With that comes the greater capacity for us to love. I thought to myself a few months ago, I am a really great lover. If I loved myself the way I love other people just think of how happy I would be!! Well it's starting to happen. I am loving myself more. I am letting myself be wonderful and letting myself develop.
I'm learning more about what makes me feel fulfilled. I need quiet time. I need a book. I need big groups of people too. I need projects (lots and lots of projects)!! I need to giggle with my daughter. I need talking with my husband. I need dates with my husband and cooking with my husband. But mostly I need to love myself. I need to let myself make mistakes and forgive myself. I need quiet time to study the scriptures and pray to my Heavenly Father. I need time to breathe.
This is why I won't be alone. As I have come to accept who I am I have realized that I can be my own friend. I'm developing and growing and sometimes it feels like it's really slow. Some days are bad. But that's the part of growth that is the most necessary.
So blossom. Grow. Shine. Be wonderful and powerful.
So thanks friend, for sharing such a wonderful piece of you that wonderful night. Thanks for listening to the spirit and for being uplifting.