"When you reach the heart of life you shall find beauty in all things, even in the eyes that are blind to beauty." Kahlil Gibran
Showing posts with label namaste. Show all posts
Showing posts with label namaste. Show all posts

Monday, January 26, 2015

Unapologetically Me

So today officially marks one year since we reunited with Aubrie. To date, our family is happier than we've ever been. Not pretending like life has been all smiles and sunshine because we've had a lot of ups and downs throughout this year, but my kids are together and that is all that matters.

Today I started looking over this blog and for the trillionth time considered sharing it on my Facebook.  In honor of the anniversary of our reunion these considerations are a little more serious than they've been in the past. I want my posts to matter. I want someone to read my words and take something from them. No matter what that take away may be. For better or worse, I'm unapologetically me and make no excuses for the ideas and beliefs I have.

My journey is my own and others may find similarities in their own lives based on what they've read from me. I write with honesty about my life that I really don't even share with those I'm closest to. 

I think through all of my posts one thing is very clear. I'm all over the place with my thoughts. Buuuut, as a young mother of five I find it hard to believe someone could blame me for that. Judge me? Sure. The fact is we live in a world where people will take even the smallest and most harmless statements and dissect them just to have a reason to rain on someone's parade. It's time for me to make the decision to not let those who do not matter censor my story.

I write this so one day my children can look back and say my mom cared more about me than she cared about herself. Because I do. I would walk through fire naked and barefoot if it would guarantee my children would never feel the heartache I have felt in my life. I would let anyone publicly blast me for my beliefs to show my children that the only person's opinion of you that should matter is your own.

So kids, go out and be loud (you've had plenty of practice so that shouldn't be hard).

Don't let anyone tell you your views are wrong. That you can't do what you love. That your feelings are invalid.

Show the world your true colors. Carry yourself with the dignity and respect that I know is inside of each of you. Stand out. Speak out against the injustices of our world.

You have no idea the power your words could have over those reading it. The lives you can change by just being yourself.

Of course my little loves, I will love you know matter what you do. All your mama wants is for you to do that which makes you happy.

Until next time...
Namaste~

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Finding Inner Strength

You know what pisses me off?  Women who are too blind by "love" to see that they deserve so much more than the pathetic excuses of  men they think they are destined to spend the rest of their lives with.

I may not be an "educated" person (in terms of psychology), but I spent SEVEN years loving a man who called me Cunt more than my actual name.  When I finally found the strength to start loving myself more than him, my whole world changed.

Scrolling through my facebook today, I was stunned by the amount of pain and anguish coming from the women (young and old) who just do not realize how incredible they are. 

A man won't neglect you, belittle you, lie to you, or hide things from you.  A man WILL build you up, believe in you, push you to be better, laugh with you, cry with you, hold you when you feel like the world is caving in around you.  He will put you before his friends, YOU will be his best friend. 

There are times when I just want to reach through computer screen grab these women and shake them. 

So ladies here it goes, this is my heartfelt advice to you.  Speaking from experience.

You only get one life.  One chance, One go around at it.  If you don't know your self worth, don't expect a man to figure it out for you. 

Life has a way of handing you the things you expect to be handed.  When you expect crap, that's what you'll get.  However, if you start expecting good things they will slowly start working their way into your life.  This is no joke.  Not even one week after I sat down and wrote out a list of qualities my "Prince Charming" would have.  My amazing husband found me on the internet.  We have been with each other ever since.

I sat down and wrote out where I wanted to go in my life, and wrote out what I wanted in a man.  I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't settle for anything less than what I wrote on this list.  My ideal man had to be someone who could make me laugh.  Who could accept me for who I was and not what he wanted me to be.  Who would love my children, and respect me as their mother.  Who had goals, who had God in his life, and wanted this for me as well. 

After Alex and I started dating not only did I check every single one of these expectations off of my list, he had qualities in him that I hadn't even thought that I needed.  He awoke a part of myself that I hadn't known I'd lost.  With him I feel free, strong, smart, and beautiful.  Most importantly, I feel LOVED, not just some days; but EVERY day. 

When sitting down and reflecting on your current relationship, if you can say that you cry more than three times a week, that should be your first red flag. Do you fight with him daily? And I'm not talking about bickering back and forth, my husband and I do that regularly. By "fighting" I mean screaming, yelling, cursing, name calling, knock down, drag out arguments that can be heard by half the neighborhood.
Second red flag.

Does he tell you you're beautiful more than just once or twice a year (or even a month)? Even when you know you look like death warmed over? Does he believe in your aspirations? Does he even know you have them? Does he go out regularly with his boys, but date nights are pretty much non-existant for you? Does he hide or lock his phone?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to start re-evaluating your relationship. 
And I realize that this is so much easier said than done.
Trust me. 

Remember that seven years I mentioned at the beginning of this post?  It didn't just gradually turn to shit, it was pretty much shit from the beginning.  I was just to naive to see it.  Everyone around me told me to leave him, some even begged.  But, I just couldn't.  Despite everything they said, no matter how true I knew it was, I was so desperate to cling on to him.  Even though nearly every morning was spent with our faces red, and my throat raw from the screaming; eyes bloodshot from the tears that just kept coming.  The hurtful things he'd say and the neglect would simply melt away by the time night came.  Just wanting him there to sleep next to.  To feel his arms around me.  I thought that that's all I needed. 
Companionship.

My point ladies, is simply this:  Picture the man you would want your daughter to end up with (or imaginary daughter), and be as detailed in this image as you'd like, as long as you are realistic (i.e. no superpowers, millionaires, actual Princes, etc).  Now compare these qualities to your current man.  If he comes no where close to the man you imagine your daughter deserves, why would you settle for him? 

Being alone is hard.  But it is better to be alone on your own, than to be alone in a relationship. 

Be a role model for the little ladies in your lives.  Show them that you are an independent person, who KNOWS that she deserves nothing less than the best.  Don't go searching for Mr. Right, let him find you. 

Let love pursue you!

Get up every day, look at yourself in the mirror and repeat this OUT LOUD: 

"I am beautiful.  I am strong. I deserve nothing less than the best.  Today may not be perfect, but I will find the beauty that is hidden within it, as well as within myself, and I will let it shine for the world to see."

Your future begins with you.  Make it something incredible by finding your inner strength.

Until next time...

Namaste~