.Deliciously you.

You are not confined nor defined by others opinions of you. Yes, we may care about what our loved ones, friends and colleagues think of us…we just can’t be attached to it. First of all, we are only guessing what they actually think. We are not in their heads. Everyone has a certain way they see the world. You can’t expect to change their opinion. From their perspective, their lens, their life so far, you are _______. Does that really have to do with you? Nope. If someone is from a different generation or culture, they are seeing you through that lens. They may have a reaction to you, like you triggered something with them, you pushed their button unintentionally. How dare you be so bold? How dare you feel so free? Mmm…they may not be allowing themselves to live fully. This has nothing to do with you. You still gotta do your thing, dance your dance, shine you light.

Question is…do you feel that you have to act different in front of specific people? Obviously at work you would not be telling your boss something you would tell your best friend. But are you allowing people to see the true you? Don’t tame your spirit for the sake of others. We are meant to feel free to express, create, be, and grow every day in some way. Living by someone else’s set of rules for themselves gets you nowhere. It doesn’t bring you closer to you. You can observe others, which can give you clarity on what YOU think and feel. It can shed light on your own truth. Ultimately, you will carve out your own path, one that no one has ever walked. We all do.

Just be you. Be your delicious self. Your flavor is unique to you, which some may not like. But when you are truly you, authentically being you, you will surely inspire someone else to live their full vibrant self. You teach that there is a new way. You can live your own life and make up your own rules (or none at all). If this scares people, they don’t understand, they think you’re crazy, just bless them and put the focus back onto you. You have your own answers. You know what’s right for you. Trust yourself. And let the peanut gallery do their own thing.

My perspective is: What you think of me is none of my beeswax. You can think, until your face turns pink. I’ll keep on being me, as I am free to be.

Originally posted on 2baware.net where I am a contributor. :)

Happy Anniversary, Babe,

(To my hubby, Brian)
We made it another year.  YAY! 

Sixteen years ago, we were barely adults getting married.  I was nineteen and pregnant with our first child.  You were only twenty-one and would have to be the breadwinner for our family.  We had no idea how hard it would be, how many struggles we would have.  We had no idea how meaningful and deep our love would grow to be.  Underneath it all, our love would be our foundation.  Through the ups and downs of our life together, it has been a roller coaster at times.  And every day, through it all we keep choosing each other and it just gets better and better.

When we met there was something so familiar about you.  I didn't have to try to be anything but me.  And all through the years you've thought I was smart, funny, and sexy no matter what.  You never tried to change me.  I tried to change you many times through the years, until I realized I like you just the way you are.  At times I thought you should complete me, but really I had to complete myself to truly love anyone else.  I'm complicated, when you are simple.  I feel everything, full of emotion, when you are calm.  I'm wild and loud, when you are quiet and strong.  You appreciate that I live and love with all of the passion in my heart.  You know me better than anyone else and unconditionally love me.  I appreciate you more than you'll ever know.  You've helped me learn to love myself. 

Our fights, which are few and far between, made us laugh at how silly they were.  Our tough times, where we struggled financially, we were blessed to have our families to help us.  Our parents have been great examples on how important family is.  We learned that money can't buy happiness when you don't have much.  You have to make your own happiness.  And the health of our four children is wealth beyond measure.  Some days have meant more than our wedding or an anniversary.  The days we found out we were having another child, the days they were born, the days we've laughed the hardest, the days where we shared our hopes, dreams, and what was in our hearts.  I cherish those days and all the memories we've made together.  We continue to grow more connected.  I am so proud of the man you've become.  You are an amazing husband, father, and person.  You mean the world to me.

Thank you for walking hand in hand with me in this lifetime as I know we have in others.  I really love sharing the journey with you.   You're "the one."   You're the love of my life and my best friend.  I love you truly-madly-deeply-completely.