Growing up when you are already grown up?

So loves, here is the deal:

Life has been hard lately. I see so many people in pain and struggling, and it is hard to keep being thankful when there is so much sadness. It is hard to see people hating who they are and what they have done, and it is hard to see that they think they are the only ones that feel this way. If you are in pain here is what I want you to know:

It is going to be OK. Maybe not today, tomorrow or even three weeks from now, but there are good days ahead. You will smile again, you will laugh, and you will love again.

You are perfect right now, in this moment, without changing one thing about yourself. We all have flaws, we are all broken, and we are all perfect even with our flaws and imperfections. There is no need to change who you are, God loves you just as you are. The way to love yourself is to be OK with those flaws. To recognize them, and accept them, just as you accept them in others. Those awful feelings that come when you examine your flaws, feel them, accept them and then move on. Do not allow your perceived shortcomings to drive you to addiction and acting out. Move on.

You are not the only one that feels badly about themselves. We all feel that way at times. Every person you meet and encounter has their own bag full of insecurities. You are not alone.

If you have someone in your life that loves you, they need to love you with all of your flaws. Otherwise, they do not love all of you. Life is short, surround yourself with people that love you.

We are not guaranteed happiness in this life. There will be good days, there will be bad days, and the majority of days will be a little of both. However, you do deserve peace in your life. If you do not have peace in your home, make the changes necessary to achieve it. Sometimes this means leaving a situation, or demanding action from others in your life. Do it, because you are worth it.

Ask for help when you need it. It allows others to take care of you and to do Gods work.

Give help when you can. It makes it easier to deal with life when you have done something good.

Love the people you love. Tell them. Show them. Every single chance you get.

When you have behaved like an ass, own it. Apologize, make amends and then move on. When you grovel, you do two things. First, you begin to manipulate a situation by making it about you. Second, you give the person that you wronged only one option...they must punish you further because you have insisted on it. Enough, move the F on.

Do not be a martyr. If a situation is not working, leave. You are an adult, you know what is best for you. Do not worry about what people will think of you. The people that truly love you will not care.

Do not allow others to be an expert on your feelings and thoughts. You are the expert on You, always.

Being an adult is hard because the mistakes and missteps that we make have consequences that reach far and wide. But you have only one chance to live your life to the fullest, take that chance and make the most of it.

XOXO
nik