Learning How to Un-see Ourselves as Others Have Seen Us

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I was recently asked “What’s the worst impact a little joke has had on you?”. It didn’t take long to give an answer. While many jokes have been pulled on me, this one specific so-called joke shaped how I felt about myself at a young age.

I was about five years old when my parents forced me to do something that I immediately was horrified at; I was so young yet I felt how degrading it was. One day before going out, to run errands I suppose, my parents tied one of my father’s brown socks around my neck. I tried to take it off as they and my older brother was laughing at me. My parents said that every kid had to wear a brown sock for the day. I asked why my brother didn’t have to wear one, he is just 18 months older than me after all. They replied that only kids with brown eyes had to wear it. I cried and pleaded to take it off but they wouldn’t allow it.

We all got into the car and while riding to our destination I pulled at the sock sobbing while they laughed and ridiculed me. They kept reminding me that if I took it off, I would be in trouble. I felt unloved, degraded, no good and ugly.

As I look back on that “joke”, my heart still feels the pain and ridicule. I was also told too often that I was full of (expletive) and that’s why my eyes are brown. I have hated my brown eyes since those younger days of my life. I’m not sure where that idea came from nor do I know why or how a parent could treat a child with such hatred and insult. I never held my brother’s laughter about the situation against him as he was also young and just following my parent’s lead. It simply baffles me that they would come up with such a sick, cruel-hearted stunt.

That joke played a large part in how I viewed myself for many, many years; maybe it still plays a part in how I see myself today. I try not to believe the cruel words said to me and all the cruel things that were done to me. I try not to think of them, I want to leave it all in the past but things happen on a daily basis, to all of us, that bring up the memories of dark times in our lives. I suppose writing about it, talking about it and trying to make sense of it is a way to overcome it.

Things from our past can shape our behaviors and likes and dislikes today. Perhaps that’s why I cannot tolerate turtleneck shirts or anything even slightly snug around my neck. Maybe I rarely look at myself in the mirror, I mean really see who I am, because of these brown eyes. Who knows and honestly, who cares — it’s not who I am. I’m not an ugly brown-eyed little girl anymore. I’m still very self-conscious and with low self-esteem but I can guarantee that I raised my boys to be self-confident and with support and encouragement to do and be anything they feel deep in their beings. I also regularly let them know that they were (still are in my opinion) adorable, cute and handsome, etc.

My current self-therapy is to undo how I have always seen myself and create a new vision of who I am. I strive to erase the negative self-description that I was taught and replace it with the reality of who I am and what I look like; not an easy feat. I’m not working to over-value myself, just to find a healthy and confident base.

So let me ask you the same question that was posed to me, “What’s the worst impact a little joke has had on you?” How has that shaped who you are today?

In light and love,

Dawn

There Will Always Be Endings and New Beginnings

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Lily – her favorite place to be was laying in the backyard soaking up the sun and watching the wildlife.

Change is always going to happen whether we like it or not. Almost three weeks ago I had to help my dog cross that rainbow bridge. My heart is aching. Still. Despite knowing that she was almost 13 years old and that there was nothing anyone could do to make her better, it was traumatic for me. Making that call is traumatic for most people who have to undertake that role whether it’s to help a pet or a family member. It doesn’t get easier with each passing day, it just gets familiar.

Lily was my girl that had to leave me and her sister Addie and our newly acquired pup, that was my mother’s Boston terrier, Lacy. Lacy seems indifferent about Lily’s absence but Addie seems to miss her. I tried to thin out the dog bed situation but Addie would have none of it as she climbed atop the pile of memory foam and round dog beds that were Lily’s. When I feed the two remaining, Addie looks for Lily’s dish then looks to me as if questioning where is she?

Lily was my first pup after having to put down my greyhound Snowy…he took a big part of my heart when he passed. Lily brought comfort and so much love after two years of being dog-less. Lily was sensitive and very intuitive. She would lean on anyone who cried, run to my mother if she sneezed, and she laid her head on my chest when I had asthma attacks. She was such a sweet, sensitive, mushy girl.

Lily was also very well behaved and a silent tattle-tale. If Addie was getting into something that she shouldn’t have, Lily would come to me and sit pressingly close while looking away from the area that Addie was in. Each time she did this, I would ask, “what’s Addie up to”? and sure enough she was tearing tissues from the trash or papers from my office.

After a long and wrenching day with my mother I would come home to be greeted by happy dogs. Lily was a leaner and being sensitive to other’s anxieties she quickly drew out the stress and negativity from me. Each night while unwinding, watching TV, she would lay beside me, often between Dale and me, with her paw, her head or her back touching me – connection. I miss those puppy hugs that she gave so well.

This part of being a pet parent completely stinks. We all miss you sweet girl. I believe you are with your adopted siblings from years past and making new friends. I know that we will see each other again. Thank you for being my girl, for helping me through some tough times and for always being happy to see me no matter what.

Change will always happen and it won’t always feel good but with each passing day it get’s more familiar and we learn to accept what is. We need to embrace the good things in our lives because there will always be endings and new beginnings.

I’m Still Learning…

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When we were young, we absorbed more information than we thought possible for a child. We learned how to cope and cooperate in our family in order to please and “be liked”. No child should have to work to be loved but it happens every day for many children.

The words our parents and grandparents speak to us as children become the foundation of our molded lives. We learn what is acceptable and what isn’t. We learn what behaviors please them and we use those words and actions to make them happy with us – (as if we have that power). We are taught that we do have that power by their reactions to our actions. When we learn what pleases them, we file it into our young minds for future use.

Eventually, through all that learning, a child becomes an adult and applies all the information that has been learned and stored away in their everyday lives. With a healthy, loving upbringing, we have a sturdy foundation and we move through life confidently. With a healthy foundation, as serious issues pop up in life, we hopefully can navigate them with ease and grace. If as a child we learned how to navigate daily life by metaphorically walking on eggshells, we might have a less sturdy/healthy foundation.

As children my brothers and I walked on eggshells. We were careful to speak, careful to take action, and careful not to “rock the boat”. So not to speak for others I will speak for myself in saying that those learned behaviors followed me into my adult life right up to this very day. I’m now learning to embrace healthy behaviors and drown out the survival-modes of my past. It’s not a simple task when the words of bitter and angry parents are still in your head with every decision or action you make.

I haven’t been very good at releasing negative words that were fired at me. I find myself hearing them while doing menial tasks as if they are current ramblings of the day. I also find myself believing some of the lies and hurtful words before I snap back to the present moment and try to force them out. I’m learning how to build a new foundation – a healthy, positive foundation.

Has there been a time when you felt worthless if you couldn’t make someone close to you happy? Have you ever felt unloved by a parent, grandparent or other prominent relative?

Just because someone speaks their opinion about you, it doesn’t make it true. If anyone told you that you were ugly, simple, stupid, useless, worthless, or any negative attack words, you don’t have to believe them. When you were a child, you had to comply with the expectations of a parent but you don’t/didn’t have to carry it into your adult life.

I became the kind of parent to my kids that I hoped to have growing up. I was strict but I was fair and respectful toward my little humans. I allowed them to have and express opinions on things. I allowed them to find their place in the world. I firmly and lovingly guided them while helping to build their foundation for life.

Life isn’t easy all the time. There are moments when you think, “boy, it doesn’t get better than this”, but those moments don’t stay forever. Everything changes. Even bad moments don’t last and for that we are all thankful I am quite sure of that. Change is inevitable but change is also a choice for many situations. It starts with wanting something to be different and personally making that happen. For me that means erasing the angry actions and words that were slung at me from today so I can replace them with healthy inner thoughts. The past will always pop up especially when triggered but it should never be welcomed to stay.

Be confident in yourself today. Give yourself the support you didn’t have back then when learning how to navigate obstacles in the world. Let those negative experiences come but also let them leave. Use positive self-talk to force the hurt out and embrace who you are today and who you can be tomorrow.

Stand Tall ~ Stay Mighty

Breaking Point

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Everyone has a breaking point and that point is different for each situation and different for each person.

I have an extended breaking point. I give people the benefit of the doubt, I have a lot of patience and I care about other’s happiness a lot, maybe to a fault. I give to the point of neglecting my own needs. I’ve been making great improvements in that area; I’m beginning to take care of myself better.

Sometimes, maybe often, when you make changes that support your best health those around you find it inconvenient – they find you selfish if you’re unavailable for their needs. Don’t let that halt your self-care. Self-care is not selfish.

Think of times when someone said or did something to you that felt uneasy, rude, aggressive and even offensive. Remember how that made you feel deep inside your belly? Your head? What kind of response did you have? Did you defend yourself or did keep it inside to fester and mess with your peace? Maybe someone sat in your home and arrogantly snickered at your accomplishments or your certificates on display that made them roll their eyes and poke fun as if your accomplishments were no great feat. Maybe it was your family member who never asked how you were doing or if you dared to mention that you felt off that day, they disregarded you and turned the subject to be all about them. Is your time taken advantage of or disrespected? Are your professional services treated with disregard? Are you often talked down to? Does someone too often disagree with your opinions, statements or feelings? Do they deny saying or doing something that you know for a fact they said or did? The people that behave that way are not your people.

You aren’t responsible for anyone’s gratification, happiness, sense of superiority, nor do you need to play along. It’s not your job to be uplifting to anyone’s insecurities. Your job is to uplift your consciousness. Fulfill your desires, dreams, goals and accomplishments – no one can do that for you, just as you can’t for anyone.

I’ve beat myself up over the years by first being available for everyone at any given moment and then by allowing them to insult, discourage and use me and my time. I followed that with being angry at myself for not standing up for my best health, both mentally and physically. Somewhere along the way, more recently, I have had enough, I broke. I broke those behaviors that hurt me and decided that it’s time to finally take care of myself first so that I may be more in touch with those I choose to help in the future. I have found who is for me and who is not for me.

I can be angry that it took so many years and so many abuses but that doesn’t help me; it doesn’t erase history nor experiences. I choose to start today with the knowledge and sophistication that I have brought to existence personally.

Don’t be a punching bag. Don’t disregard and underplay your accomplishments and needs to suit anyone else no matter what. Be your true and beautiful, best self.

Every new day is a chance to start over. Every New Dawn begins again.

I Took time to Re-energize, Have you lately?

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This year has been challenging for everyone. Covid-19 has reconstructed how we go about our daily lives; no one in the world is exempt. It has caused exhaustion, anxiety, doubt, sadness, depression, fear and so much more. Many of us, myself included, have forgotten that it is necessary to take a step back or a time out to just be.

I was pleasantly reminded of how important a “time out” is this past weekend. My sister-in-law spent the summer working on Martha’s Vineyard at the campground she stays at. She is making steps toward her dream of living on the vineyard and she is inspiring.

I am so blessed to have been able to spend the weekend on the vineyard with her and my brother. We walked miles of beach, collected shells, inhaled the fresh, clean ocean air, we got our feet wet, we gazed at the tide rolling out and back in, we learned that where we have walked in life isn’t the path we are stuck with. The waves kissed our feet and renewed our footprints teaching us to glance back but make sure your move forward. As I stood on the shore I let the waves wash over my feet and drag the negative emotions and the toxic people I have dealt with away. I exhaled slowly with every departing wave.

I was away for three days but it felt like three weeks. We didn’t have a schedule. We didn’t watch the clock. We didn’t plan every minute of the days. We flowed with the tide, the sun and our innermost spirit-guide.

Upon returning home, I feel renewed. I feel a sense of calm. I have been re-enlightened in the direction I want to guide myself and my life -wellness clients.

Have you taken a much needed time out recently? Do you need one? What simple things might you be able to do to allow yourself to be re-energized? If you’re not quite sure, email me, I can help guide you.

Until next time, stay salty, stand tall and be mighty!

Get Over It vs. Move Forward & The Crumbs You Leave Behind

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Throughout my life I have heard the words “get over it” both directed at me and to others from many people everywhere; I bet you have too. The words seem to be a catch-all phrase for those who say it. I can guess that when it’s their time to hear it from another, it doesn’t sound very comforting. It’s not.

Getting over something generally means that it is gone and forgotten, like a common cold or a case of poison ivy. We can’t get over a bad break-up, the loss of a pet or loved one but we can move forward. Moving forward and getting over something are two completely different things. Perhaps both are a way of coping but moving forward might just serve us better.

We all heal both emotionally and physically at our own pace. We each move forward at our own pace as well. In my experience, moving forward is easier and more liberating than simply “getting over it.” Perfectly sensitive people are emotional from the heart so working through situations at our/your own pace is what brings each of us peace. I don’t believe that there is a such thing as too sensitive; we work things out very differently from one another because we are all unique, every single one of us.

There are crumbs that we leave behind when we move forward. Those crumbs are bits and pieces of the past. They aren’t left on purpose so that we may find our way back, they are left so that when we do look back, we can see how far we’ve come. It’s okay to remember things that have happened but whether they were good things or bad things, we can never got back there and we wouldn’t want to go back because we miss out on what is happening right now.

Every memory can be a lesson. We can choose whether to do things the same way and get a different or similar result than we hope for or we can change the way we do it again based on past experience. Every memory can bring joy to our hearts or anxiety to our minds. How you decide to deal with it is a choice, a decision you make for you. I urge you not to make the mistakes I’ve made by basing my choices on the pressure and happiness of someone else even when I knew better; it never works out for your best and often not for theirs either. The result is an unhappy recipient and a hurt, sad self. Many people are not happy nor satisfied no matter how hard you try so it’s necessary to put your energy toward your emotional wellness rather than theirs.

Every decision is up to you. Whether you choose to get over it or to move forward, do what is right for you. You are the only one who knows what that is and you need to own it. Often, my gut and my head spoke opposing views to me and I too often went with my head to avoid conflict, physical and emotional pain, and I lived in fear. I slowly changed my ‘go-to’ choice and stuck with my gut feeling. That brought fear but it also brought self-care and emotional peace.

I’ve moved through some pretty horrific times in my life, times that I will never wish to return to, times I wish to get over but have instead moved forward past them where I can look back and feel blessed that I made it through to these better moments in life.

In many ways it is easier for me to stop being a people pleaser today than it was fifty, forty-three, thirty years ago, ten years ago, even just one year ago. Taking good care of myself helps me take care of others those of which are of my choosing. I see those crumbs of times gone by but the better picture for me is what today brings and what lies ahead.

Even with these tough times of Covid-19, I can keep my chin up and my foot forward knowing that everything changes. I can be the change I wish to see in my world and it will surely extend into our world at its own pace.

Be free. Stand tall.

~Dawn

Talked Down To? Stand Tall.

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I’m a pretty easy-going person, I always have been. I’m very agreeable and often to a fault. I’m kind, giving, caring, and forgiving. I give people the benefit of the doubt; too many times in some cases. I’m typically a happy, fun-loving person who avoids conflict and confrontation. I try my hardest to help people be happy as anger in others makes me nervous. I’m a people pleasing, shirt of my back kind of gal. I choose happiness and peace over angst and strife. I’m a faithful friend, mother, worker, health & life coach, hairstylist, and customer of local commerce. That’s pretty much who I am in a nutshell.

I’ve had my share of tough times; haven’t we all? I’ve been so flexible through the difficult times that I often thought I would break, but I didn’t. I only got stronger and tougher — on the outside. Inside I was slowly crumbling but I pushed that down deep inside. I’m such an easy person to get along with that others often mistake that for weakness and take advantage of my giving nature, my kindness, my goodness. But, I’m not weak; I’m strong beyond measure. I have a can-do attitude and a will-do nature that cannot be mistaken for weakness but esteemed as strength; both emotional and physical.

Each time someone mistreats me, that crumbling becomes a part of me. It slowly builds a wall of protection. That wall is sometimes a burden. It has become the collection of negative, demeaning, insulting, patronizing and greedy acts of those I have been kind to. Those whom think of me as weak and easy to manipulate. That wall is thick enough and high enough to block out those who continue to challenge my generosity. I’m not blocking anyone out, I’m simply putting a stop to being a subservient work-horse to those who take advantage of other people’s kindness.

I would likely have never been described as an angry person in my past but I feel anger in my being for the past several years. I’m not comfortable with that feeling. While I remain quiet, I’m not blind nor deaf to how someone who feels superior to me is behaving/talking to me. I’ve often read that when someone puts another down it’s because they do it to feel better about themselves; all the power to them. I don’t have to accept not receive their belittling.

I’m not comfortable letting go of my kind-nature in order to protect myself. I choose love over hate. I choose useful over used. I choose self-respect over their arrogance. I choose peace over anger. I choose happiness over emotional pain. I choose to persevere – to stand tall – to be kind. I am releasing the self-indulgent, egotistical, selfish folk from my peace.

You don’t ever have to accept irrational behavior from anyone. Your most important job in this world is to be kind, first to yourself, then to others; but that doesn’t mean you must accept rudeness, abuse, negativity or deceit. Not everyone belongs in your circle just as you don’t belong in everyone’s circle and that’s okay. It’s healthy for you to select who you need in your life; selection is not rejection. We are all unique and we try to find the people we vibe with. Everyone vibes in their own way, find those who compliment your vibe just as you might compliment theirs. Unfold your wings and release your energetic vibes into the world for the like-minded kinfolk to find you.

With time comes growth and with growth comes wisdom.

Stand tall.

Dawn

Teach Them How to Treat You

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Often, while I work, my mind recaps conversations and situations that I have experienced or overheard. I think of it as the brain processing what it wants to heal in our lives. I used to allow things to replay over and over in my mind which drove me down the road called despair. Today, instead of continuing down that road I have learned to talk it out either with myself or someone I am close with. Talking things over with another is a super healthy way to see things from another perspective and it often makes perfect sense.

If you are the type of person that lets things roll off your shoulders when what was done or said to you was just plain mean or disrespectful, you could be teaching that person who spoke or did an action that it’s okay to verbally/physically abuse you. Disrespect is not okay. You don’t need to be a fighter; simply speak the first feelings you have when you are hit with insult. Teaching others how to treat you can easily be done without harsh words. You can simply reply with something like, “that wasn’t very nice and I won’t accept being talked to or treated like you just did.”

As with how others verbally or physically treat you, the same goes for your belongings. If you respect and take care of your “stuff”, others will be more likely to do the same when they borrow from you. Take pride in your belongings. Show others what you expect and treat their stuff with respect too.

Don’t deny that how you talk to or treat others says a lot about you and you might well be treated the same back. It’s your responsibility to be firm but kind when you relate to those around you.

I’m not a fighter. I used to be meek, mild, passive and afraid to stand up for myself. I’m still mild, calm and kind but I no longer let others use, abuse or disrespect me while still not being a fighter. Self-control goes a long way. Respect for others goes a long way too.

If you want respect, you must give it. If you want to be treated kindly, don’t receive anything less than what you would give. Teach others how to treat you by your actions, words and your fellowship.

Be the light, be the change, be example of kindness in this world.

~Stand tall.

Things I Learned from My Mother

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My mother recently passed away; it’s been nine months. My father passed not long before my mother. Despite our less than stellar childhood (my two brothers and I), I have learned a lot from both my parents, what to do and what not to do. Good things can be learned from every situation we encounter.

Both of my parents taught me not to lie. One fabricated and/or manipulated things that happened or were said or done and the other kept secrets as long as possible until the truth was inevitable. The fabricator was often caught by several and the secret keeper eventually was caught and folded and finally admitted wrong-doing.
The lesson I take away from that behavior is don’t lie, don’t hide the truth, don’t intentionally do something that you feel you have to hide and lie, be honest, face the consequences and move forward.

It’s okay and even good to admit when you’re wrong. Some people view admitting being wrong as a weakness. Some people HATE to be wrong. When you admit you’re wrong, especially to your kids when it involves them, they learn to own up and have confidence that being wrong isn’t a weakness; they learn that it is a form of respect: self-respect and respect for others.

Speak up when you have been wronged or threatened. Keeping a personal attack or painful experience inside hurts you more than any physical pain. It’s better to talk to someone and be afraid of their reaction for a moment than to keep it in and be afraid alone, forever. It might not change things, but it might, and knowing that someone else knows makes you feel less alone.

Treat others as you wish to be treated no matter what. I’m always kind to others. I don’t always experience the same treatment from others and it sometimes makes me want to treat them the way they treat me (after all, it works both ways, right?) but I always choose the better road. I remain who I am, a kind, caring and supportive person.

The phone works both ways. If you haven’t heard from someone for what seems like a very long time, pick up the phone and call them. They might like to know that you’re thinking of them too. If they don’t answer or if you don’t call because “they are always busy anyhow” leave a message; a message will brighten their day and yours.

What you give is also what you get, most of the time. Some people are simply takers and will never change but you shouldn’t let that change you. If you’re a giver like I am, just keep being you.

Don’t take people for granted. When you do, they eventually stop caring and stop helping. They see the pattern and get tired of being used and mistreated and eventually you will lose their respect.

Happiness is a choice, just as anger is a choice. If you want to be happy, just be it. Of course, we all get angry once in a while but it usually doesn’t last.

Things don’t bring us happiness. Things we want only bring happiness for a short time, for the moment. Soon you will have so many things that you don’t need or want that you feel overwhelmed, out of control and unhappy, still. Choose adventures, time with family and friends and other intangible things. Choose moments over things.

Pay your bills before buying fun and frivolous things. There is peace of mind when your bills are paid and responsibilities met. Whatever leftover cash you have can be used on your wants or put aside the extra cash to add up for that big-ticket item.

No one will take care of me except me. If you depend too strongly on others, you end up unhappy, depressed, negative and angry. When you make sure your needs are met by your own doing you feel accomplished, a sense of pride and self-sufficiency and secure in knowing what you need is in your hands; at your disposal.

Take care of yourself first. If you put yourself last, you often deprive yourself and feel burned out. If the needs of everyone else around you seem more important than your own needs and you always oblige to others, they will expect it from you every time. When you don’t put your personal care first, you send the message that you don’t matter and in return you will be treated as such. You’re telling them how to treat you. Put your own oxygen mask on first.

People will manipulate you to get what they want. They might even call you names to make you feel bad for not giving in to them. Learn to be aware of what is sincere and what is manipulation.

Name calling and others’ opinions of you don’t define you. If someone calls you names or states their negative opinion of you, it could be because they feel intimidated by you. They often put you down to try preventing you from succeeding making them feel superior to you.

Love your kids unconditionally. Some people will only love others when they are good and serving them. You should never love a child or another person less because they disappointed you. Showing love shows great strength and support. Correcting a wrong behavior can be done without losing love and respect for the wrongdoer.

God doesn’t actually punish us. God loves even the sinner. We punish ourselves and punish one another. Using God against another is a scare tactic and it could tragically push one away from God. God is love and wants us to love one another.

Housework sometimes does relieve anger. I hate to admit that I have adopted my mother’s love of housework but only when I’m upset. I suppose that doing something that doesn’t require a lot of concentration helps process what’s on my mind.

I actually can be successful. When others think you aren’t good enough to accomplish dreams or goals it might be because they don’t want you to surpass what have accomplished. Maybe they want to squash your dreams because they weren’t brave enough to make a go at their own. You can do what you set your mind to doing. Sure, there might be obstacles along the way but they only build endurance and strength.

This is a long short-list of things I have learned from my mother. There are certainly many mother things but these are things that have formed who I am and who I am to become. Maybe you see similarities in lessons from home? Share your thoughts.

Until next time, just be you.

As always Stand Tall. 

Renewal in a Disposable Age

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20200516_152519It has been nearly five years since posting here. I didn’t abandon this page but my plan took another path; just as life usually does. Instead of scrapping everything and starting over, I gave my page a new skin and the chance to survive, just as I have and just as you have.

The past few years have been challenging but it brought me to this exact moment which is a great blessing. The recent events in my life have helped me face reality and release tragedy from the past. I have a renewed sense of self and a renewed peaceful spirit.

Facing reality – what it means for me is taking people for who they truly are instead of who/how I hope they would be and to accept them as they are without letting it disrupt our peace. No one is as we hope they will be, they are who they are but the good news is, you can be whom you hope to be. I spent much of my life letting others define me and I adapted to their definition of me. When I finally accepted who people were and that I could hope all I wanted but it wouldn’t change them, I was able to be my true self. 

I’m a person who loves others and I work(ed) very hard at trying to make them happy. I dislike conflict. I dislike mean, manipulative people. I feel the heavy burden of negativity that others harness. I prefer to see the glass half-full, see the rain as a prelude to sunshine, and I will always treat others as I wish to be treated. There was a recent time when I wanted to give that last thought the boot and start treating others as they treat me but I couldn’t make myself do it; it’s not who I am.

Releasing past tragedy, pain, abuse and heartache doesn’t mean it won’t surface again, it will, and when it does, you can acknowledge it for a moment and then send it on its way.

Personal renewal in this disposable age is personal growth. Things don’t have to go away for good in order for your life to be good. Think of a time when you burned yourself or scraped your knee, the scar might still be there but the pain isn’t. The scar doesn’t hold you back from being pain-fee and happy, it’s simply a bookmark in the life of you.

Don’t let others define you by who they say you are. Rise above with each new day and allow yourself to be who you say you are. Make sure those self-defining words are kind. Nurture your inner being. Overcome your personal hurdles and set your sight on being precisely you.

Stand tall ~ The Sky’s the Limit