Black Love Starts with Self-Love
BLACK. LOVE. MATTERS. Because BLACK LOVE starts with SELF-LOVE, I’d like to share some of the life lessons & blessings which I have collected along the way. Internalizing these little gems has helped me as I have redefined myself & journeyed toward becoming “my best self” (which, if I am honest, is a lifelong, ever-evolving journey).
These little nuggets have helped me to personally decrease stress in my life; love & respect myself & others more; & not “sweat the small stuff” (cuz it reeeeeally is all small stuff, in the larger scheme of life!). Hopefully you will find at least one or two or three of these “life lessons” applicable &/or useful to your life as well…
(Note: As you read this & future posts, please keep in mind that we do not have to agree on everything. It is perfectly ok to respectfully disagree. It is also totally fine to take what you can & leave the rest behind. I’m good with that!)
Ok so, THIS is “My Off-the-Cuff Perspective on Life, Now That I’m in My Forties…” (in no particular order):
THE LOVE OF SELF…
☆ Trust yourself. Believe in yourself. BE yourself!
☆ Always love & respect yourself MORE!!!
☆ Find your JOY & do what makes YOU happy. Don’t spend years & years of your life just being “content.” (Trust me, I made that “mistake” for more years than I care to share!)
☆ In all you do, be clear on whatever is “your why!?”
☆ Your “Personal Paradise” is wherever you are; it is simply up to you to create it. As the saying goes, “Wherever You Go, There You Are!” ~ Dr. John Kabat-Zinn
☆ “Authenticity is the spice of life.” No matter what in the world is going on around you, always be your true, authentic self.
☆ Commit yourself to always operating from a place of integrity & honor; no matter how others may lead their lives or what they may choose to do.
☆ Design, define, & live by your own “Personal Constitution” & Covenant with God.
☆ Walk in your God-given purpose & be intentional in your words & your actions.
☆ Do not be afraid to take risks. Metaphorically speaking, be courageous enough to take Steve Harvey’s advice & just “JUMP!!!”
☆ Fear is not of God, so do not allow yourself to be ruled by fear or debilitated by anxiety. Do not allow fear &/or anxiety to keep you from “living your best life NOW!” ~ Mr. Joel Osteen
☆ Take care to write your own story. Illuminate your own “stuff” before anyone else does; never allow others to define you &/or tell your story for you.
☆ Protect your time & use it wisely; there’s no peace or joy in overcommitting yourself. It really is okay to say “no!”
☆ Keep Ya Head uP! “Stop looking down; there’s nothing down but the ground!” ~ My MoM, a.k.a. “Dr. Joyce” (& Pac!)
☆ Never measure your life by that of others; you will only find yourself feeling dejected, disappointed, inferior, unworthy, &/or perpetually “looking for the perfect beat!” (News Flash: This is one of the many splendid reasons Social Media can be a bit of a trick bag…BEWARE!!!)
☆ At some point in our lives, we have ALL “fallen down & gotten back up” (metaphorically speaking, of course!). However, we cannot allow minor setbacks to deter us or cause us to judge ourselves (or others) harshly. God is our one & only judge.
☆ “Stop operating from a place of darkness when you’ve already seen the light!” ~ My Big Sis, Tish
#BlackLuvMatters
