Rise Above

Too often, society tells us how we should think, feel, look & dress. Attempting to define our lives behind the covers of magazines and television screens. Too thin, too fat, too loud or laid back. Can't discipline your children without fear of outside involvement. Life filled with problems yet few resources to solve them. Listening ears attached to running mouths. Holding it all in just wanting to a way out. Many claim they'll be by your side, but everytime you look around it's not enough to count. Wearing many hats, playing many roles, filling many voids. Being everything for everyone except for the one who matters most. Yourself. How can you give 100% when you lack? It's impossible to give what you don't possess. Spreading yourself too thin leaves no room for your best. Home, work, family, friends. Always someting that needs to be done, but no idea where to begin. Take a step back, breathe and relax. Ain't got time no waste. Can't afford to get off track. At what point did it become ok to neglect our star player? Why hasn't anyone told us that self-love isn't selfish at all? In fact, it's necessary to remain afloat. There's nothing wrong with treating yourself. Buy that fancy dress you've been eyeing. Dine at that new restaurant you've been raving about. Enjoy a spa day. Know that you're just as beautiful as you were before the kids, marriage, career. Nothing's changed but the year. Dust your crown off & strut. Hold your head high and offer no explanation for making your well-being a priority. No one has to approve. However, respect is non-negotiable. Create the life you wish to live. What you don't feed will starve so give no energy to the naysayers. There is no box that you need to fit neatly into. Be different. Stand out. Remember, an original is always worth more than a copy. No one can be you better than you!

So what if you're too tired to do laundry. I'm sure it can wait until another day. Does it really matter if you prepare a home cooked meal as long as your family has something to eat? Are you allowed to glow in your natural beauty or does your makeup, nails and the like always have to be on point. Have you given yourself permission to just be. Live in the moment. Without stress, fear or worry. Understand that it's ok to not be ok. You're not required to have all the answers nor solve every problem. Not every burden is yours to carry. Why do we, as women, feel the need to be perfect? Are we not aware that perfection is non-existent? Every day of life allows us an opportunity to do and be better than the day before. Meaning to do a work within ourselves to reach our full potential. Something has to be lacking for us to seek validation, approval and acceptance from outsiders. All of which we should be freely giving ourselves. Too often, we're told what's acceptable that we've bought into others perception of us. Their criticisms cloud our judgment making us feel less than we are. Undeserving of the best. Well, today can be the change that you've been waiting for. Unbeknownst to you, it's been here all along. That voice that tells you to go for it in the midst of doubt. The whisper that says stay strong during the emergence of trials and tribulations. The light that glows despite the darkness surrounding you. Tune out the negativity. Be so far from it that it has no way to enter your life. Remain unbothered by the others. Never base your decisions on their opinions because you are the one who has to deal with the consequences of them. Be You To the Fullest equals my version of Beautiful!