You’ve changed so much. I guess that’s what happens. I wish you knew how much you changed me. I wonder if I changed you, if your life is different because of me. Because mine’s different. My God, you taught me so much….
To my beautiful daughter, Jennifer.
Nicole, Meaghan, Emily, Alyssa and all of the Class of 2012.
Here is what I hope you leave with:
Give yourself permission: for everything. Permission to make mistakes. Permission to shine. Permission to look beautiful. Permission to accept (instead of correct or dismiss) praise. Permission to have bad days. Permission to get angry. Permission to cry, to laugh, to scream. Permission to take the day off. Permission to take a nap, go to sleep early. Permission to get a massage. Permission to do nothing. Permission to succeed. Life is about being here now, in all your full range of emotions, mood swings, wins and losses. Give yourself permission to live out loud!
There will always be others; others that may be more educated, skilled or talented in one or another area, but there is something magnificent and valuable about what you have to offer this world! Do not allow yourself or anyone else to diminish it.
To live your best possible life, you need to learn how to say no to the things that aren’t helping you. The best barometer to measure this by is: if it isn’t a “hell yeah” (yippee, so fun, can’t wait), then it is most probably a no. If you have to talk yourself into it, it’s a no. Once you get comfortable saying no, everything becomes a matter of choice. Living a life of choice is a living a life of freedom.
Always remember; When you strip everything else away, your word is all you’ve got. Do what you say you’re going to do.By honoring your word, you honor yourself.And it doesn’t feel good when you don’t. So, make it a habit. Value your integrity and keep your promises.
You can do anything you choose to do ~ There is nothing you cannot be, do or have. So do not impose limitations on yourself. Instead of saying you can’t get there, ask “How can I get there?” Live in the affirmation of possibility rather than the declaration of negativity. There is always a way, and it is being presented consistently, but you have to live in the question to be on the lookout for the answer.
“Even though we’ve changed and we’re all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we’ll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we’re not all still friends.”
Own your opinion! No one has to agree with you in order for your opinion to matter. Stop waiting for consensus. YOU matter. Your opinion matters. Some people will agree with you and some people won’t. You will NEVER get consensus. So, stop looking for it. The only question you have to ask is, does your opinion matter to you? Claim it. Own it. And know that with new information, it could change tomorrow.
If things aren’t working out in your favor, take note and ask yourself what your part in it is. Being a victim is passé, boring. There is no power in blaming other people. Don’t wait for other people to change. When you change, your world will follow suit.
Bloom where you are planted. Work from the inside out. Make the commitment to yourself and get started.
“Life is a hard hat zone, we’re always under construction.”
Love generously. Spread random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.
Hatred is already rampant. We need to tip the scales the other way.
Love is a far more powerful emotion and has far reaching consequences.
Thoreau said, “If I am not I, who will be?”
Did you ever notice that the ones who are most successful are not the ones that follow the masses and trends, but the ones who stand in their own authentic expression and declare who they are? Regardless of who agrees with them?
Find your bliss and live your passion. Your Bliss? It’s time to find out! When your life has spun out of control and you are finding yourself in a tizzy, go back to what makes you happiest and do that. The more you follow this thread, the more you are leading with the heart. Discover it. Find it, claim it, express it, and live it.
Never give up on yourself. You are who you are. It’s time to honor that and make use of it. Stay the course.
Be Well,
Mom (Jess)
