Sunday, January 23, 2011

The Joy of Loving Yourself

Hello again friends!  I hope that you are well and peaceful.  I was journaling this morning and realized the peaceful feeling that I had was due to how I am feeling about myself these days.  That's when I knew this was just the right topic for the next blog.

When did it become ok to spend so much time talking about ourselves in a way we would never talk about someone we loved?

I read the other day, we cannot give what we do not already possess, makes sense...What immediately came to mind was ~ how can I expect to give love to someone else if I am not first filled with love...how can I expect someone to love me if I do not first have love for myself?

It is extraordinarily easy to point out our faults, the bad stuff is easier to believe.  I understand why it happens ~ when we point these things out then others won't have to ~ or if they do, we've already heard it.

However, did it ever occur to you that other people may not be thinking that at all?  When we spend so much time and energy looking at our faults, it can become a way of being.  Some of the most critical people I know would tell me that they are all about giving love...then they'll say they don't understand why they have such a hard time getting it in return.  The majority of the people I encounter desire love.  However, if we spend all of our energy looking outward for that love we fail to nurture ourselves and we have less love to offer others.

~ Before you read the next sentence, spend 30 seconds thinking of 2 things that you love about yourself~

~ Go ahead, I'll wait~

What did you come up with?  Some of you may have said somethig that someone has admired about you.  Or, maybe it is something that you've never admitted to anyone...it doesn't matter this is about YOU.

My challenge to you is to make a promise to yourself.  Everyday think of 2 things that you love about yourself.  They can be the same 2 things or change daily.  And when you hear yourself pointing out your faults, or notice you're feeling down on yourself...SMILE and remember what you love about you.

Because no matter your choices, the point is YOU ARE LOVED!

Until next time my friends, Robyn

Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Joy of Friendship

Welcome to The JOY of Being You!  I have had an interesting journey to arrive here to be with you.  The end of the last decade was an amazing eye-opening experience.  I learned a lot about myself and what I have really been put here to do.  I have always said that I'm a pretty JOYful person.  Then one day mid-last year I realized that it's my "calling" to bring that JOY I carry around with me out in the open to be shared with others.  My family and friends have always known this about me and now you shall too!

When I was trying to decide on a topic for my first post, many ideas came to mind.  I am writing a book about JOY, also called The JOY of Being You!  So, I wanted to make sure that I didn't duplicate what I was already writing in the book.  Plus, there were plenty of things that I couldn't fit in the book that I could share with you here.  The thing that jumped out at me all week was how blessed I have been to have many people in my life that I call "friend". 

The dictionary describes a friendship as: a friendly relation or intimacy

When I first sat down to write this, I was having a hard time explaining my philosophy about friends.  Friends are so important to my life.  They are truly a treasure and I really appreciate each gift that they have given me. 

My father told me a long time ago that you have very few friends in your life and many acquaintances.  Although I understand his point, it is difficult for me to refer to some people as "acquaintances".  I prefer "temporary friends".  People come and go in your life.  It is important to appreciate them while they are there and remind yourself that you can't hold on to them once they have given you the gift that they are supposed to. 

This is why I say "temporary".  Each time you add someone new to your circle, it is important to appreciate what you have received from those that have left.  However, we must let people go.  Sometimes they come back when they have a new gift to give.  The ones that stay in your life forever feel more like "family".  They continually bring gifts.  They bless your life year after year.

The other side of the gifts that you receive, are the gifts that you bring.  You too are a blessing in someone else's life.  You too offer a friendship ~ temporary or permanent.  You must remember that.  It is a JOYful exchange of gifts!  Each time that you offer the hand of friendship to someone, there is someone also offering you their hand.  Pay attention!  You cannot take this relationship for granted.  If you fail to be grateful for what you have, the gifts will no longer be offered.

So, now I say THANK YOU to you the friends that have taken the time to read this.  Although this is my freshman effort, I hope that I have given you something to think about.  And I hope that you will continue to let me offer my gifts to you! 

Love & Light, JOY and Happiness!

Until the next time...Robyn