Monologue Monday: Why Loving Yourself Matters

Recently, I wrote a post here asking ‘Do YOU Love Yourself?’ In the post I asked you all to join me in telling yourself one thing that you love about yourself everyday for the entire month of February. (You can check out the details here if you want to know more, but today I just want to focus on the why of it all).

So what’s the big deal anyway? What does it even matter if we love ourselves or not?

Loving yourself is a very big deal. How you feel about yourself impacts every other facet of your life. It influences your choices, how you allow others to treat you, whether or not you are willing to settle or to go after what you believe you deserve, and basically just every other thing about your life.

If you don’t care about and love yourself, then no amount of someone else loving and trying to validate you is going to fill the void that you are feeling. Therefore, try not to get sucked into the mentality of there being a need for something or someone else having to define you. When you know and love yourself, you define you.

The reality of life is that everyone is going to have an opinion of you. Even if their opinion is one of indifference or nonchalance, people are going to form an opinion of you based off of their own conceptions (or misconceptions).

If you don’t love yourself, or you value the approval of others more than the esteem of your own worth, then you are going to be easily swayed and disheartened as you journey through life.

Stop seeking the approval of seasonal people who have no control over your life or your well being because you feel the need to be confirmed or accepted by them. While valuable, other people’s opinion of you can’t and shouldn’t control your life. You have to love you for you.

How you think and feel about yourself matters most because you can’t escape yourself. You have to live with you forever.

Again, some of us fill the void that we feel about ourselves by seeking the attention, approval, and acceptance of others or in things.

You don’t have to continue living like this though. Even if at the moment you don’t think very highly of yourself, determine in your heart that today is a new day. You may have struggled in the past with low self-esteem or not feeling worthy, but this is a new season in your life! You are not going to spend the rest of your life living in someone else’s shadow or under the unjust opinions of others.

Learn and love yourself for who you are, flaws and all, and embrace your identity. You are going to have your days where you fall short and mess up, but guess what: you are human.

For those people who just don’t “get you”, give them a mirror and tell them to do some self-reflecting, realize that everybody is not going to like you and that’s ok. As long as you love yourself and you can lay down at night in good conscious knowing that you gave your all, then don’t worry about the opinions of others.

Here are some tips to help you love yourself even more:

©       Ignore Others- As I said earlier, everybody is not going to like you. In fact, some people don’t even have a reason for their dislike, they just don’t like you. It doesn’t make much sense, but nevertheless you can’t get caught up in the mindsets and reasoning of other people. Just because someone else doesn’t like you doesn’t mean that you can’t love yourself. If people are against you, don’t loose focus… keep doing you to the best of your ability and use their dislike as fuel to becoming a better you.

©       Learn Who You Are- If you don’t know who you are then you are going to believe what others are telling you about yourself and that’s not cool. Nobody knows you better than you do. You see the stuff that you do when no one is looking or is around, so unless someone truly knows you then don’t believe the opinions of others who catch a glimpse of your life and feel the need to label you. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the drama. Be you and your character will speak for itself.

©       Hone In On Your Strengths- We all have weaknesses. I don’t care how awesome someone else seems or how much it seems as though they have it all together, we all have our flaws and shortcomings. Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, start focusing on your strengths and try to enhance those aspects of yourself.

©       Speak Positive- Your words have life. Whoever came up with the saying ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’, probably had very little encounters with real human beings. People’s words hurt. Since you can’t control what others will say, you can control how you will allow it to make you feel and how you will respond to it. I personally would respond by speaking life into my being. Everyday I try to think of something that I love about myself or something that I did well for that day, and my life has become so much better because of this mindset. (AND I strongly encourage you to join me for “LoveYourself” February).

©       Forgive- Let go of all of your past pains and disappointments and start living your life to the fullest. Forgive yourself. You have walked around carrying that heavy load for far too long. Its time to release it and to become the amazing person that you were destined to be. You can’t move forward as long as you keep reminiscing about the past. Talk about it, get it all out, and move on. If someone has hurt you, forgive them. It may not be easy (and this doesn’t mean that you have to let them back into your life), but it’s vital that you do so. You are worth it!

-Virgin Monologuez

Monologue Monday: You Are Changing

Has anyone ever accused you of changing or made it seem as if something was now wrong with you because you started doing things differently and were now trying to better yourself?

With a new year quickly approaching, I thought it very befitting to discuss this subject. At the beginning of every new ear, many people try to come up with resolutions or plans promising new beginnings or a fresh start, all with the hopes of moving forward.

They join gyms, promise to start eating healthier, make vows to stop doing this or that, and are just excited with anticipation for what the future holds.

This argument is not just made towards those who make resolutions for the new year though. Many a people have been accused of changing or “acting as if they have it all together” once they have altered from previous habits or the expectations and opinions of others.

Some of those people have went back to school to get a higher degree, have obtained a job in the profession that they have always wanted to work in, have stopped partying, or have accomplished whatever other thing that they have been wanting to do but have never really followed through with.

If you have heard any of this, or have been struggling with trying to live better but not wanting to leave behind certain people or certain things, don’t get discouraged or loose focus.

You are going to change. A function of life is for us to grow and evolve as individuals.

Life is a journey and if you are staying in the same place then you aren’t journeying…you aren’t moving forward.

If people say you’ve changed or try to make you feel bad about positive lifestyle choices that you are now making for yourself, don’t let it get to you. You are growing and evolving as you should. If you still have the same mentality as you did in high school but now you are 30 then that would be a valid reason for concern, but someone accusing you of trying to do better for yourself and making you feel guilty about it is not ok. Don’t let someone else hinder your success or deter your attempts at greatness.

If you previously didn’t know basic subjects, but now you are going back to school that’s a good thing. If you used to be timid and shy but now you are bold and the CEO of a company, that’s a reason to celebrate not to feel condemned or bad. If you always wanted to try for something and have kept trying and finally you have gotten the position, it’s ok to celebrate your success.

Again, don’t feel bad or disheartened when others say you are changing with a negative connotation behind it while you yourself know that the change has been for the better.

Some people don’t like when you start doing better for yourself. They are comfortable and can accept you as long as you are at their level. The minute that you start stepping out of their comfort zone, it makes them uncomfortable and they no longer know how to handle or relate to you.

Don’t stay in the same place. Strive to do better and to be better. Change is good J

You only live once so make the most out of the present…the gift that you have been given. If there is something that you have been wanting to do, go after it and fight for your dreams. Don’t worry what everyone else has to say about you.  Go hard!

Change…Grow…Evolve ♥

-Virgin Monologuez

Moment of Truth & Male Week

“Sometimes you have to be your own cheerleader. Regardless if you have other people encouraging and supporting you or not, you still have to be there and encourage and support yourself. Don’t give up…you can make it! J”

Moment of Truth

Ya’ll this past week was hard for me. Really hard actually. I was feeling under the weather and just very blah….

Despite how I felt though, I couldn’t stay in that state of mind so I had to encourage myself and push myself to keep going (even though what I really wanted to do was lie in my bed under a bunch of covers and watch a ton of movies), but I couldn’t do that. I have work to do and deadlines to meet, so I couldn’t allow my physical or emotional state to get the best of me.

Staying positive and reminding myself that it was ok to feel however it was that I was feeling just as long as I didn’t stay in that place, (as well as getting some rest so that my body could rejuvenate), made the world of difference.

I’m still not feeling a hundred percent like myself, but I’m ready and willing to take on anything that life is going to throw at me this week.

So remember to cheer yourself on and to encourage yourself no matter what is happening around about you. If you think better, you feel better…

And don’t think that I’m some optimistic romanticist (…and maybe I am…but that’s not really the point!). The point is that I have real problems just like anybody else, and there are some days that really try to get to me, but I realize that life is short and my time is precious, so I refuse to spend it being angry, pessimistic or negative.

So stay encouraged and be positive! Life is too beautiful and full of wonderful experiences not to.

Male Week

Oh, and in other news, a couple of days ago one of my guy friends called me up and reminded me that I have male readers reading this site too! So in an effort not to alienate anyone (and because I think that it would be fun), I decided that this entire week I would dedicate to the chaps following this site J.

So, we are going to start off with a Monologue Monday post on “How to Treat A Guy” (a requested post…by a male reader), then on Wednesday or Thursday we are going to do a post on “Can Guys and Girls Just Be Friends”, followed by Part 2 of my brother’s Male’s Perspective Interview (on either Friday or Saturday). In between these times, I might post little things here and there in appreciation towards all the guys out there doing their thing and making a difference in the world.

 So enough talking for now… off to edit Monday’s Monologue…..talk to you in a bit.

-Virgin Monologuez

I Am Grateful For

First off, Happy Thanksgiving Day!!!!

I told you in my previous post here, that I would be back later in the week to list a few of the things that I am most grateful for. So here are some of my most precious appreciations:

©      God- My life holds no meaning if God is not my purpose.

©      My Family- Outside of God Himself, the greatest gift that I have ever received is my family. Every time that I think about them I just look up and smile at God; rejoicing that He thought it so fitting to bless me to be able to associate and enjoy life with some of His greatest creations. My family is not just the wind beneath my wings, supporting me and helping me to soar; they are my sunshine in the sky helping me to see where I am going. I am so blessed to be able to know them. I love them so much!

©       My Friends- I literally pinch myself some times when I think about my friends. They are the coolest, most random, most enjoyable people that I have ever met in my life. They make me laugh, we have really good communication, there is nothing in the world that they wouldn’t do for me (and I for them), and most importantly they love me just as I am. They don’t try to make me into something that I’m not or influence me in a manner contrary to what I stand for. They love me for me, and I will always love them for that.

©       Laughter- There is nothing that I enjoy more than laughing and making the most out of life. No matter how I am feeling or what I have been faced with, laughing and thinking about something pleasant always makes me feel better. Thus, I am so thankful that I can laugh!

©       My Life, Zeal & The Ability To Express Myself- I love myself. I have been through a lot, and during this time I have learned how to love and appreciate me for who I am. I have come to accept that everyone isn’t going to like me or “get” me, and that is ok with me. In learning who I am, I have gained a joy and a peace about myself that nothing or no one can take away from me. Yeah I have problems and issues, I would be lying if I said I didn’t, but I also possess something on the inside of me that no one can ever destroy. In terms of expressing myself, I can’t contain what is irrepressible. I am passionate, and I celebrate that!

©       My Travel Experiences- I have a strong passion for traveling to different places and experiencing new cultures. In being exposed to various customs and traditions, it has allowed me to view the world in a much different, but positive light.

©       Growing Pains- If I didn’t go through what I went through, I couldn’t have become what I was meant to become. Those storms, trials, and tribulations purified and refined me and molded me into the woman that I wanted to become. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has ALWAYS been worth it.

©       This Current Waiting Period- I wish that I could say that I haven’t struggled in this area at all, but that would be a lie and ridiculously deceiving. I have cried, been angry, and felt very discouraged at the fact that I am still waiting on the person for me. But in that time, I have grown and evolved and have come to realize that if it wasn’t for my waiting period, I couldn’t have been prepped and groomed for the next phase of my life. This was never my permanent destination; it was merely a means of preparation to prepare me for what is next. This delay has not been a denial, but a self-revelation.

©       You All- Every one of you that has read something that I wrote, commented, emailed, or supported me in any way, I am tremendously grateful to you because you have encouraged me and assisted me in allowing my voice to be heard. There are tons of things that you can be doing on a daily basis besides coming to this site and checking out whatever it is that has been placed on my heart regarding various issues. In spite of this reality though, you still come and I sincerely appreciate that. All around the world I have been contacted by numerous readers and it touches my heart every single time. I don’t ever want to take anything for granted, so thank you so much J.

-Virgin Monologuez

Monologue Monday: Let’s Have A Little Heart to Heart

I know it’s been a while since the last Monologue Monday post, and I’m sorry about that. I have so much stuff to talk to you about, but the thing that I want to discuss the most right now is about being real.

Yeah… being real.

I’m not the type of girl to act like I have it all together. (And if at any point I’ve ever given you that impression, I truly apologize for it…for real).

This weekend I spent Saturday doing a couple of interviews for this site, and for one of the interviews I was the one actually being interviewed… (it was pretty intense too, but that’s another story)!

My intentions behind agreeing to do the interview were two sided. On the one hand, I wanted to show the guys that I’ve been interviewing that I’m not above getting down and personal (especially since the guy doing the interview was the first person that I ever interviewed for this site, and he came to me and asked me could he interview me, so I happily complied).

But the second reason, and the reason that’s even closer to my heart, is that I really wanted to get raw and unedited for ya’ll and for myself. 

While I think that it’s important to be a role model and mentor, I feel like it’s just as important to be real and honest.

I’m not perfect. It feels good to say that and to acknowledge that I don’t have it all together and sometimes I just don’t know what I’m doing.

Don’t get me wrong, I know who I am, what my goals and passions are, and what I stand for, but I also realize that I’m human. I’ve been in situations that I shouldn’t have been in, I’ve done things that I shouldn’t have done, and I’ve allowed things to happen that I shouldn’t have went along with.

But with all that has come life…. Has come experience.

My monologue for today is that it’s ok to make mistakes.

Why???

Because you’ll learn from them, and hopefully you’ll take what you’ve learned and help somebody else along the way so that their journey isn’t so bumpy. (And I’m not promoting to just go out there and do whatever you want and then just say ‘oh, my bad’ after you’ve done something that you know you shouldn’t have done. But I am saying don’t get so caught up in your failures and faults that you can’t move past them. Acknowledge that it was wrong and then change it…don’t dwell on it but don’t mask it either; call it what it was).

I know it’s tempting to act like you have it all together or like you have the perfect life, but oh the people we could reach and the lives we could touch if we got real with them and ourselves. (And not to mention your life would be so much happier if you didn’t have to wear a mask or pretend to be something that you aren’t….there is liberty and freedom in being real).

I’m saying all of that to say this:

When you’re reading through my stories or the stories of the other men and women on here, be encouraged. Don’t ever feel like you are being judged or condemned because of who you are or what you’ve done. (Now if you feel convicted because what you are doing is wrong and you want to change it, that’s a different story… but don’t feel like you can’t relate to any of the people who have submitted stories). We’re all just like you, and this is a judgment free zone.

I, and my site, are about encouraging others; lifting them up and helping them to see that there are alternatives to following the norm and ‘doing what everybody else does’.

If I, or the other people that I allow to come on here and share with you, can’t be honest about who we are and what our imperfections are/what we struggle with, then what’s the point?

Dare to be the change that you want to see and always be real with yourself and others ♥

-Virgin Monologuez

P.S. So I decided that I would post the interview with Dr. J.D. first (hehe J he sent me a playful email when I called him Mr. last time- people and their titles huh?!?!? (just kidding)), but I’m going to do that interview later on this week, and then post the other male’s perspective interview that I did sometime next month. So come back later in the week because I PROMISE that you don’t want to miss our one-on-one interview.

Until then, have an incredible week and just enjoy life!

Monologue Monday: Me

I want to preface this by saying that even though this post is about dating, I’m currently single and LOVING IT! My motto is when it’s supposed to happen it’ll happen, and in the mean time I’m just going to enjoy as much ‘me time’ as I possibly can.

Monologue Monday: Dating and the Single Life

Being a 27 year old virgin is pretty interesting at times. Not necessarily for reasons that you might imagine either. For me, (especially at this point in my life), my biggest challenge isn’t trying NOT to have sex or be intimate with others. My biggest obstacle is actually dating. Yes, you read right- DATING.

In the words of my ex boyfriend (he’s an ex for a reason right?!?!?), “you would make the perfect wife, but you aren’t girlfriend material”. (When I asked him why he would say something so crazy, he said it’s because I have the qualities that a guy looks for in a wife, but when you’re young you just want to have fun…not date someone who is cautious and responsible)…um yeah, did I mention that he was my ex.

But anyways, (and if ya’ll don’t mind I’m going to get fairly personal with this post), but seriously though, when it comes to dating it really is a challenge sometimes.

I’m one of those girls that loves to have a good time. Usually whenever I’m out I’m always smiling and energetic (and probably laughing like crazy). I really do enjoy life.

At the same time, I hold my beliefs and values really close to my heart and there are a lot of things that I’m just not willing to compromise on.

And this is where the challenges of dating come in to play (and why I referenced my ex earlier): I’m laid-back and relaxed enough to not take myself or life too seriously, but I’m devoted and committed to my faith enough to stand strong when sticking to my principals.

For some reason this is confusing to many of the guys that I encounter.

Some guys seem to think that if I’m happy-go-lucky with my attitude and demeanor, then I’ll be the same with my body and emotions, and that’s just so absurd to me (and confusing to them when they try me).

And I guess the second part to this is that being 27 and living on my own and having all of the freedoms that I have, they really don’t get it when I tell them the few rules that I have for myself. (I.e. no overnight stays, having somewhat of a curfew, etc).

They are usually like ‘why does a grown woman have restrictions on how she lives her life?’

Side note- if somebody says this to me I keep it moving because they obviously are not the one for me. I set limits because I’m proactive and that’s what works for me fool! (I don’t call people fools- or any type of bad name really, but this is what I’m thinking sometimes).

So needless to say there have been many times that I have just felt so discouraged with the entire process. Honestly, that’s why some might even suggest courting instead of dating (which I should get around to writing a post about one day- note to self!), but there is one thing that always brings me encouragement and that is this:

You have to stay true to yourself in life. There are going to be some guys (maybe even a lot of guys) that just don’t get you, and that’s ok.

You don’t want to compromise your standards or desires just because it doesn’t fit into someone else’s mold or idea of what they think you should be.

I’m going to keep on laughing, keep on smiling, and keep on enjoying life every chance that I get. If someone doesn’t get me then they just don’t get me- that’s ok with me.

Ultimately when I meet my special guy, he is going to accept that I don’t want to have sex before marriage. He is going to appreciate that I respect myself and my values enough to set certain limits on our interactions with one another (until marriage). And he is going to love that I am me: quirky, engaging, fun, and full of life.

In short, he is going to get me and we are going to be equally yoked and on the same page with things.

Until that time….until I meet the man that accepts me just as I am (quirks and all J), then I am content on just living life to the fullest and making the most out of every opportunity.

I might not have been “girlfriend material” for my ex, but I will be that and so much more for someone someday, and I don’t mind waiting until that time.

The best things happen unexpectedly ….

-Virgin Monologuez

P.S. Trust God and just live life…everything will happen when it should. Just relax J!

Monologue Monday: Good Guys

I just want to start off by saying that I LOVE what this site is becoming. God blessed me with the idea of sharing my story and the stories of other women with you all (in the hopes of encouraging both women and men to know their value, love themselves, and to become better people in the process), but this venture has shaped into something that I never even imagined in my wildest dreams!

Since the site began I have shared the stories of numerous ladies with regards to intimacy and relationships, interviewed several guys about the male’s perspective, and shared some of my own personal experiences. Overall it has been a really positive journey.

During this time, I have received countless emails from females (virgins, those practicing abstinence, and those who are just trying to figure out what’s right for them) telling me how inspired they’ve been by certain posts, and I’m always genuinely humbled that they would even take the time to send me an email stating as such in the first place.

While the mission of this blog is to celebrate, empower, and encourage women to love themselves, their bodies, and the gift of intimacy that they possess though, it in no manner is meant to portray the males out there in a negative light.

Some of my closest friends are guys (whom I talk to frequently and tell mostly everything), and even if it weren’t for them, I have two brothers, a nephew, lots of male cousins and uncles. In short, I respect men greatly and I would never intentionally do anything to bash guys in general.

(Now if me sharing my story of a particular incident with a guy sheds that guy in a negative light then I’m just telling it like it happened, but I definitely am not the type to think that all guys are alike or that they are all bad news- that’s just not my mentality).

Just like there are some great girls out there (many who are the one’s that read this blog J lol j/k), there are also some females out there who are very manipulative, conniving, and just plain awful individuals. Likewise, there are some guys who are arrogant, rude, and self-serving, but there are also some really great guys out there who should be celebrated.

So that’s what I want to do today.

Next week we’ll be back with a monologue from another reader, but today I want to celebrate all the good guys out there who are trying to live right and do the right things.

All guys aren’t bad, and sometimes if you associate with the right like-minded guys as yourself, then you can even learn a thing or two in the process!

So here are some of the things that my guy friends, ex-boyfriends, brothers and associates have taught me:

·         Not to settle- I have AMAZING brothers. They are very supportive and very communicative with me about a lot of things. Since our father died when we were younger, they have definitely stepped up and helped be my role models and examples. They have only treated me with love and respect (opening doors for me, taking me out to eat -just us-, freely giving me words of affirmation, and just generally being there for me). Whenever a guy has tried to enter into my life that they don’t agree with, I have tried to hear them out because I respect them and know that they only want the best for me.

·         They have raised the bar- I know this might sound weird for me to say, but my exes are really great guys. I am so lucky that I've only encountered really driven, caring, passionate guys who cared about me and about life. As a result of the encounters that I have had with them, I know that I am only willing to expect better. These guys were great… they set the limit and some even raised the bar. For me it’s like I refuse to be in darkness after I have encountered electricity. They were my lamps…my world is only going to get brighter! (That sounds kind of corny but its true!)

·         That sexy doesn’t mean trashy- Only people who are trying to overly compensate for something show everything that they have at once. Nobody has to see all of you in order to like you. It’s ok to be mysterious and intriguing, not revealing everything but still being appealing. Even at 27 and being a woman J, my brothers and male friends are quick to tell me that I’m doing too much sometimes lol.

·         That less is more- My brothers (and most of my guy friends) aren’t fans of loads of make-up, hair extensions and false everything. I love my natural look just as much as I like to get dolled up, so I’m cool with whatever, but it’s nice to hear that guys aren’t really into that stuff as much as we think that they care. I mean yeah you want to look and feel good for you, but you don’t have to look like you just left the MAC Pro Shop (and tried on everything that they were offering) every single day. Just put on some lip gloss, a couple coats of mascara, and call it a day…be comfortable in your own skin!

·         How to treat a woman- This is the most important one and basically it composes all of the other ones. The guys that I know have taught me how a woman should be treated (well I already knew, but they just iterated it with their actions and behaviors): She should be respected; she should be honored; she should be showered with appreciation, affection, and even gifts; she should be made to feel secure; she should be heard; accepted; encouraged…she should be herself; everything that he wants and need, and a reflection of the person that he aspires to be.

So to all of my guys out there, thanks for being you and for knowing the value of a good woman when you see one. I know in general that you all get a bad rap for some of the things that your associates, peers and friends do, but we know that ya’ll aren’t all alike.

There are still some good guys out there.

       -Virgin Monologuez

It’s Ok…

To be alone.

Learn how to enjoy your own company and to be ok (at peace/ content) whether you’re surrounded by numerous people or if it’s just you all by yourself.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a bit of a loner or if its because I’ve just gotten used to doing things solo, but I love having my “me” time.

While it’s cool to be around others and to hang out with friends or to do stuff in groups, it’s also really important to get to know yourself and to be comfortable in your own skin. You are the one person that you can never escape from, so learn how to be ok with you.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and I love my family even more (and I’m excited for the day that I will one day meet the man that I will marry), but I’m just as happy with others as I am alone.

The reason why I’m writing this though is because I hear so many people saying that they’re in this relationship or doing that because they don’t want to be alone, and it honestly makes me a little sad.

Why sell yourself short or settle for something because it’s all that you feel you can get at the moment? Why not just work on making yourself a better person, learning what your likes and dislikes are (or what your strengths and maybe areas that you need to improve on are) before bringing someone else into the picture? Why aren’t you comfortable being by yourself?

I don’t mean to sound like I’m preaching; I’m not. I’m just really passionate about people and I truly believe that if people knew who they were and what they possess, what qualities and characteristics they have that make them strictly unique, then they wouldn’t feel inadequate or the need to be validated by other people. (Or feel the need to always be around someone else).

Love who you are, be ok with being by yourself, and just live your life to the fullest. Whether you’re surrounded by crowds of people or if you’re all alone in your room curled up reading a good book (or painting your nails or whatever), enjoy life.

-Virgin Monologuez

It's OK to Make Mistakes!!!!

Good morning ya’ll,

I heard someone say this today and I loved it, so I thought I would post it here:

“To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid”

-Anonymous

It's O.K.

You know what??? As I go through life, I am ever evolving. I am constantly learning.

Learning how to be a better friend, learning how to become a better person… learning how to live. Each day is a new experience and it brings greater insight. I become more confident and comfortable in my own skin, and I grow as a person. I have some enduring days, I experience some tough nights, but I always have a lot of joyful moments.

In short, I’m growing up as a person, and I always strive to document that process through my writing; not just to share it with you all, but as a source of encouragement to myself, to say ‘wow, look how far I have come…I used to struggle with this or that, but that issue no longer phases me’.

That’s why I blog. The truth is that even before I started blogging, I have ALWAYS kept a journal. It’s a part of who I am….its how I express myself. So even though I have taken it to another level by doing so both publicly and personally now, I still love doing so. In a sense, it holds me accountable and makes me really evaluate what’s going on in my life and around about me.

That said, from time to time, I want to really share myself and my growing pains/joys with you by posting points of encouragement, acknowledgement, growth, and sometimes even reproach….all with the title of It’s O.K.

So here goes my first It’s O.K. post (reminiscent of Oprah’s Aha Moments J):

It’s O.K. to laugh until your stomach hurts!!!

Sometimes I laugh so hard, that my stomach is literally hurting hours later.

We need to learn to enjoy life, and to not be so stuffy serious all the time. At some point, your life is going to come to an end, and you don’t want to look back and realize that you never experienced real joy…real contentment.

So try not to take yourself or life too seriously. Life is so much better when you laugh (and so are your abs J)!

As much of a cliché as it is and as corny as it may sound, one of my favorite quotes is:

‘Life is not about how many breaths you take, but it’s about how many moments take your breath away’.   

       -Anonymous

Don’t die (or live) unhappy; no matter how many years of life that you are blessed with, do they really matter if you were sad and depressed the entire time???

-Learn to enjoy life-