Gem

Just as a gem cannot be polished without friction;
nor can a life be improved without trials.
We are what we allow life to make of us.
You can fall trampled beneath the mounds of madness;
or you can rise up, enlightened, stronger, more brilliant.
You can be minimized by each defeat;
or you can become more resilient, smarter, wiser.
You can allow the small and trivial to shake your foundation;
or you can stand firm in the knowledge that your integrity is solid.

Go, be that polished gem.
You are that polished gem.

Shine!

A single candle can illuminate the darkness.
We all know that.
But did you know that you, yes you, can be that candle?

No matter how dismal a day may seem.
No matter how heavy a heart may be.
No matter how fretful a situation feels.
A single candle can illuminate the darkness.
YOU can shed a little peace,
a bit of tranquility,
a ray of hope,
an opportunity of light.

Will you join in the misery?
Will you add to the pain?
Will you wallow in the waste?
Or will you shine?

Shine!

HOPE

Today is a National Day of Hope.
I believe EVERY day is a day of hope.
But . . . if we want to honor it today, I'm good with that.

I am hoping for kindness.
I am hoping for gentleness.
I am hoping for sweetness.
I am hoping for tenderness.
I am hoping for understanding.
I am hoping for acceptance.
I am hoping for accountability.
I am hoping for decency.
I am hoping for peace.
I am hoping for love.

HOPE!

Be Nice

My mom taught me something very pertinent
in the world and in my life.
She would always say, "Be Nice!"
Grand advice!
Except she wasn't finished.
She would continue, "Until it's time to NOT be nice."

She never said to be mean.
She never said to do bad things.
She simply meant that at some point,
you stop allowing people to walk on you,
belittle you,
degrade you,
and you stand up for yourself,
speak your mind,
defend your own space,
realize your value.

Today . . . Be Nice

. . . until . . .

Happy

I did not write this . . . although it's everything I believe.

Happiness is a choice,
not a result.
Nothing will make you happy
until you choose to be happy.
No person will make you happy
unless you decide to be happy.
Your happiness will not come to you.
It can only come from you.

Choose Happy!

PC

I am NOT here to be politically correct.
My mother taught me to listen,
to educate myself,
and to speak up when necessary.

I am not here to coddle you.
If you are wrong, fix yourself.
I am not here to do things for you.
I will walk with you, love you and support you
through whatever you are facing.
I am not here to fill your head
with whatever it is you want to hear.
I will be honest and sincere.
I am not here to listen to your whining.
It helps nothing and solves no problems.
I am not here to bow to your every whim.
I have a brain and am not afraid to use it.

I may not be politically correct,
but I am, unequivocally,
Politely Consistent.

That's OK

Some folks say I'm strong.
Some folks say I'm confident.
Some folks say I'm a leader.
Some folks say I'm bold.

But there are days when I am none of those things.

I want to cry
and cringe
and hide
and fall apart.

And that's OK.

Do what you need to do
to be the best you you can be.