You are loved

 

I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.

I can be happy, because I deserve it and am loved.

 

We all have dark times and feel down and need to be lifted up and this quote is a reminder to me and others to know we are loved. It just made me heart happy!

Wonder

 

A few books have been said to change people’s lives. There are always classics on the list, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Giver, Pride and Prejudice, The Diary of a Young Girl are just a few. Harry Potter became a sensation to readers and writers alike, changing the audience of many books. A few of my other favorites on the list are The Help, The Book Thief, The Fault in our Stars, The Hiding Place and Unbroken. One book in 2013 has joined the list, Wonder by R.J. Palacio.

It’s a story of a young 12 year old boy named August who is different. August was born with physical disabilities which lead to him being home schooled. August’s parents decide that after seven years of staying home it was time for him to go to school. They enroll him in the 7^th grade and the book takes us on a journey of his first year at school.

 

 

There are so many books that have negativity; it’s nice to read something inspiring. Wonder is a book that teaches love, friendship, forgiveness, humility and wants to make you become a better person.

Wonder is an eye opening book for people of all ages, young and old. It teaches us all a lesson to not judge a book (person) by its cover, because some books may just surprise you and have a story full of love and takes you on a journey of true friendship and self-discovery. 

 

Think of your favorite books, how they have changed you and how you can include the things you learned into your life.

 

R.J. Palacio has now written other short stories with the characters from the book Wonder.

 

I've only read Pluto so far, but I would love to read them all. Shingaling is coming out in May.

 

What is beauty...

You don’t have to try so hard

You don’t have to give it all away

You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up

You don’t have to change a single thing

Take your make up off

Let your hair down

Take a breath

Look into the mirror at yourself

Don’t you like it?

Cause I like you

The lyrics in Colbie Callait’s song Try, truly has deep meaning for a lot of people. What do you do for beauty? Do you have to Try? Like most, for me it’s been a roller coaster. The media tells you to look a certain way. You have to have your hair a certain way, wear makeup all the time, and wear brand name clothing. Does it really make a difference? Do you feel better, or does it add extra pressure to you?

Although, I’ve struggled with self-esteem throughout my life, as an adult I have a better understanding of what beautiful is. I have learned that I don’t need to “try so hard” to impress others with my outward appearance. It was all within me. If I believed it, others would also.

My Grandma Budd really influenced me and my self-image. Since I can remember, she always said wonderful things to me. I was sweet, kind, and beautiful, and to never change. As I got older and became a mom she told me that I was the best mom she had ever seen. I knew it wasn’t true, but I also knew that she wasn’t lying either. In her eyes she saw beauty, she was genuine. In the last month of her life, she didn’t know my name, but she knew how she felt about me, and told me how kind and beautiful I was, I was a wonderful mother and to never change.

As women, and human beings we owe it to ourselves and to others to see the good and beauty in others. Don’t judge, but love. Remember what Audrey Hepburn said, “For beautiful eyes look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

      Dove Beauty products has had a number of ads trying to show that beauty comes from with in. I saw this video and I just loved it so much. Click HERE to watch.