Staying True to Yourself!

To be true to yourself means to act in accordance with who you are and what you believe.

If you know and love yourself you will find it effortless to be true to yourself.

Just as you cannon love anyone else until you love yourself, you cannot be true to anyone else until you are true to yourself.

Be who you are! Have the courage to accept yourself as you really are, not as someone else thinks you should be. Do not take action or pretend to be someone else for the sake of gaining acceptance.

Many young people believe that when they do things to please their peers, such as drink when they shouldn't, or behave and party in inappropriate ways, they will be popular and liked. They go against the advice of their parents or their common sense only to find themselves in trouble and not accomplishing what they set out to do.

When you do things that are not genuine or a reflection of the real you, you will not be happy with yourself and will end up confused and lost. You'll be confused because you won't know whom to please or how. 

Self respect comes from being true to who you really are and from acting in accordance with your fundamental nature. When you respect yourself, others will respect you. They will sense that you are strong and capable of standing up for yourself and your beliefs.

When you are true to yourself, you allow your individuality and uniqueness to shine through. you respect the opinion of others but do not conform to stereotypes or their expectations of you.

To be true to yourself takes courage. It requires you to be introspective, sincere, open-minded and fair. It does not mean that you are inconsiderate or disrespectful of others. It means that you will not let others define you or make decisions for you that you should make for yourself.

Be true to the very best that is in you and live your life consistent with your highest values and aspirations. Those who are most successful in life have
dared to creatively express themselves and in turn, broaden the experiences and perspectives of everyone else. 

Be who you are, be your genuine self!

Follow your own value system and common sense!

Listen to the advice of others, but make up your own mind!

Recognize, appreciate, and develop your unique talents!

Stand up for what you believe in and you will gain respect!

Know that being "different" is a gift!

Understand that you are enriching others by being yourself! 

Appreciate What You Have!

Life and the love we get, the experiences we have and the opportunities that lay ahead of us are endless. Some people throw away what they have and don't realize what they had until it was gone. I think that we shouldn't have to lose anything in order to find ourselves.

Probably the greatest question we can ask ourselves is what is the most important thing in life? This question could quite simply be impossible to answer and is definitely different for each and every one of us. When you try to think of the most important thing in your life, what is it? If you can pinpoint the answer, you can determine what your life is based on. Sometimes the most basic principles are things that overlook everyday. I think that so many people don't appreciate how fortunate we are. I believe in not taking life for granted.

All the things people wouldn't know if my life was over tomorrow, are the things I have been to scared to do and tasks that I have been too lazy to complete. There are too many people I never looked in the eye and I have too many unspoken words. I have chosen sleep over early mornings too many times. I've spent too much money on materialistic things instead of using it to live my life. Even though I know that so many of us are sitting around in designer jeans, on our iPod's, cellphones in our pockets that can do more than most computers, we feel our life's still aren't fulfilled. What more do we need?

Material items rule our lives and it's causing the sweetness of life to turn sour. Savor the tastes of life by recognizing who you are, and what you have. Simple things in life may not be so simple when you come to realize the impact they really have. I came to realize how much I have in my life after I returned from a mission trip in Nassau Bahamas in 2012. Their lifestyle somehow affected me in a way I don't think anything else could. Some call it a rude awakening but others, a way to open my eyes into a culture with different standards in what life has to offer. I found the whole experience humbling, and to say that we are privileged is merely an understatement. I feel more in touch with life than ever before.

We fall into routines, taking for granted what special gifts have been given to us and fail to appreciate and give thanks. PAY ATTENTION! Listen, and look for the positive in your life. NOT just in your relationships, but especially in nature. The way the wind caresses the tops of trees, the dance a seagull does among the clouds, and the warmth of the sun warming our hearts. The clock is ticking. Days are passing, and seasons seems to fly by more than ever as we age. Do not take for granted the daily blessings. Yes, easier said than done. I would do anything to have my grandmother back to tell her what I have learned and what has happened with my life. That cannot happen. I can however begin to tell my parents, my sister and my best friends how much they mean to me. I will NOT take them for granted. Look again  Look at familiar trees, familiar scenes, your friends, even your teachers. Look at them with new eyes; look at them as if your days are numbered, because they are. Time keeps marching on, and its up to us to make the most of each second. 

I love my Friends!

Friendship is a relationship that all the individuals can create by themselves. Though it is not a god gifted relationship like that of the relationship of a mother, father, sister, brother or any of the other family but still it is one of the best relations an individual can possess. People who have true friends should consider themselves as the luckiest individuals on earth.

       "Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."--C.S. Lewis.


We do not make friends because they are useful but the bond of friendship, once it grows stronger and stronger it has a number of positive aspects. There are certain secrets that can only be shared with our friends. When we are facing difficult situations in our lives, only true friends come forward to help us overcome all the difficulties.

Every friend is important and their importance is known to us when certain situations arise which can only be solved by our friends help. One can never feel lonely in this world if he or she is surrounded by true friends. On the other hand, loneliness prevails in the lives of those who do not have friends despite the billion and billion of people present in this world. It has been said that "A friend in need is a friend indeed." Friendship is a beautiful bond by all means but while making friends, it is essential to keep in mind that one should always be aware of the difference between true friends and false friends. 



True friends are committed and stand by your side even in the rough phases of you life. A friend is never a coincidence in your life, they are meant to enter your life to bring you joy and laughter. Friendship is a priceless gift. it cannot be bought or sold. But its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold. For gold is cold and lifeless it can neither see nor hear. And in the time of troubles, it is powerless to cheer. It has not ears to listen, nor the heart to understand. It cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand. So when you ask God for a gift, be thankful if he sends... not diamonds, pearls or riches, but the love of
 a real true friend.

Friends are the flowers in the garden of life. They help you through times of trouble and strife. There's nothing like friends to make a heart shine. True friends will share with you mostly everything. They will not abandon you in the times of need. They aren't overcome by envy or greed. Friends are the icing on life's great big cake. Real friends will give and allow you to take. I don't how I would survive without my friends.




This is a poem that I found online that I think describes a true friendship.

“Best friends stick together till the end, They are like a straight line that will not bend.
They trust each other forever,
No matter if your apart you are together.
They can be your hero and save the day,
They will never leave your side they are here to stay.
They help you up when you fall,
Your true friends are best of all.”

To sum up, it can be said that love, the most amazing feeling on Earth is incomplete if it is not supported by friendship.

What does living life mean?

Within each of us is the embodiment of life. We live every day. Each of us has within our beings hopes and dreams. Within our souls we hold our values and our beliefs about the universe. And next to our hearts we hold our ideals and our passions. Like hundreds of thousands of candles shining in the darkness, we are one in ourselves and one together. Each of us is never quite as alone as we ever think we are. And by living everyday, we find meaning in ourselves, meaning in our lives, and meaning in our hearts, however brief each of the flames burning in our souls shines in this vast symphony of stars.

Everywhere we go we are confronted by things that are important - but to who? What's important to me may not be important to you. We can ask ourselves what's important, but what does that really mean? Does it mean that what we consider important may not really be important in the big scheme of things? Maybe we're not important at all, or maybe we are but just don't know it yet. Or maybe we need someone else to compare ourselves to feel important, or maybe we need someone to praise us to feel important. A lot of people feel that the approach of belittling someone else to feel important, or by comparing themselves to others just to believe they're important. But are they really as important as they feel they are? Does feeling important have anything to do with being important? Is being important really that important to us? Does importance have an importance in itself? Maybe it's not important. What does the importance of one thing have over another? Who decides what's more important  anyways? Who's to say one person's child is more important than another or another person's heart worth more than another?

We lose our way from time to time when we forget what's important to us. Some spend a lifetime looking and never think they find it. We've become a culture seeking fulfillment in physical things and tangibles that often we overlook the everyday gifts that bring us the greatest joys- simple pleasures, clean air, beautiful bird songs, ice cream, good company, kind words, a helping hand, the majesty of nature, the leaves changing colors in fall, the flowers blooming in spring. We take so many things for granted and concentrate so much on the ownership of things that seems to have importance one moment, suddenly loses it luster the next. Perhaps what's truly important to each of us is simpler than we may believe. Perhaps it lies at the foundation of each of our beings, found in the basic structure of who each of us are: our values and beliefs, our hopes and dreams, our ideals and our passions.

The world breathes onto us, and in return, each of us breathes onto the world. Life, happiness, and passion are wound around the essence of our beings like white doves flocking about an ancient colossus bathed by the sun of life, a magnificent structure we shape with our own hands each day, every day. We are what we value and what we believe of ourselves. We are capable of as much or as little as we lead ourselves to believe. We have the gift of free-will to decide each day, each hour, each minute who we are and what we will do the coming day and each day after that. We make choices everyday, we live everyday, and in grief, a little of us dies every day. But like the surf rolling across the beach; the sands of life are replenished with each stoke of the tide. God always returns what he takes away.

We must recognize that through living, we also make choices about who we will become. We touch others every day with our words, our actions, and with our joy and grief. And they in turn touch our hearts in similar ways. The world isn't always perfect, but the choices we make are ours alone, based solidly upon our values and ideals. We may choose every day to be angels, granting wishes, helping those in need, caring and inspiring others with our words, with our passions, with our hopes and our dreams. Subsequently we have the responsibility to look at ourselves each day and ask ourselves who we are and what is it that's truly important to us.

What's important to me? What should I do differently today that didn't work yesterday? Am I happy with the choices I made? What can I do from this point on about who I am inside to make myself a better person if I'm not happy with who I am now? What do I fear and why? And what is it that's truly important in my life? Is acquiring material wealth no matter the cost really that important? Is being seen, or placed on a pedestal really that important to make me feel like a worthwhile individual? Is feeling that I fit in a group so important that its worth sacrificing my ideals, values, and everything I believe?


We are each one flame among billions, each blessed with the greatest gift of all, the freedom to choose. Life is all about choices, touching others, and being touched by the acts of others each day. It's about who we really are. It's about finding our true selves and being honest about what we feel and what we believe every hour of every day. It is absolutely important that each of us never surrender those things we feel are right and true within ourselves. To do so would only leave us feeling like we've betrayed the foundations of who we are. Never surrender the honesty of your hopes, your dreams, or your values, no matter what anyone says. In the end, the person you really have to live with isn't your parents, your friends, or those who pressure you into doing things. It's YOU.

Never forget from where you came from. Never lose sight of where you are. And always look forward to where you want to go to chart your course over the great oceans of life. Some will navigate by the stars, some by the charts, and others by the winds alone. They all reach destinations and exotic ports of call eventually. Some stop for a while, while others journey on. But the memory of their journey will be recounted from the lips of the travelers they met along the way. Some will recall the friendships they forged with them if not for a little while, others will recall their choices at difficult crossroads. But the most poignant memories will often be the acts of compassion or courage that leaped forth from their heats because it was who they were.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

My Mom!!!!!

A hero to me is someone who you look up to, someone that you can model yourself after. Someone who sets and example for you and someone with a good set of morals and values. My mom is this person to me. She has always been there for me, and has always tried to provide the best for me. My mom has shown me right from wrong and has provided me with everything I need to succeed. She is the strongest person that I know and exhibits all the qualities of a leader and a hero. .


In addition to my mom always being there for me she has also inspired me. She has been setting examples for me to follow since I was little. She has been there to set rules for me and guide me. She has been there to catch me when I fall and to help me get back up when I need it. She has done all of this without asking for anything in return. She has done it all out of the goodness of her heart. I have never heard her complain about picking me from band practice or getting my sister from basketball practice. She did it because she wanted the best for me and my sister.


She is my hero because she has made me into who I am today. Without my mom I would not have had any of the values that she has instilled in me over the years. I would not know the virtues of good will and family. I will never be able to repay my mom for the things that she has given to me and the things she has done for me.

My mom is the most influential person in my life. She is loved by all. She is a mother, wife, sister and daughter. She is always strong and she is like the threads of a quilt that hold us together. She is a flower whose petals will never wilt. As much as she denies it, she is beautiful inside and out. Her kindness and unselfishness is what makes her shine throughout. I don't think she comprehends how much I appreciate her everyday and how much she means to me. She is perfect to me in every way possible.

Because you are my mom you loved me before I was ever seen. You thanked God for this miracle, this little human being. Because you are my mom no pain was too great for you to bear. You're a mother and I your child with joys and pains to share and so into this world my life began each breath on my own. Because you are my mom you worried for me within every bone. You let go of my little hand to take my first steps on my own. Because you are my mom you've showed me through the years to care about others and their feelings and the things that they hold tightly. Because you are my mom you've taught me right from wrong. Understanding that my faith in God will forever keep me strong. Showing me that being my own person is the only tool I'll need when morals and values are your foundation to success. Because you are my mom you loved me enough to also be my friend. You would be right there in ways that no one could see or ever comprehend. When there was no way I thought you could ever understand, there you would be, non-judging and willing to lend a hand.  Because you are my mom you have guided me through all the challenges in my 18 years of life. Because you are my mom, God's gift to me was you, and as your daughter I will always love you and promise to be true. I thank you for so many things and will try to never make you sad or blue.

To be a mother is not an easy task, yet you do it proudly everyday no matter what is asked. You have turned your baby girl into a young lady. You were there for me since the very beginning and saved me countless tears. The silly and wise advice you give will carry me through the years. With my every mistake and wrongful deed, you were always there to understand. You put no limits on my dreams or anything else I wish to do. You never forget to say you care or that you love me. The smile and tears upon your face when I achieve things provides me with more value in my heart  then you'd ever believe. There is no other person that will shape my heart the way you have done. You have always put in your time with love and my whole life is not enough time for me to repay you. We always put our disagreements to the side and manage to make it through. I know that Sarah and I have driven you crazy buy you have guided us with assurance along the way. You have given me comfort and certainty with every breath I take within the day. Your little girl is growing up but your baby girl will always remain deep inside me. There are not enough words that can thank you for everything you have helped me emotionally and physically. I have my whole future ahead of me and you are the women that has lead me and guided me towards the proper path.

I love you so much mom!!!
 Who??
How Long??
How Much??

Happiness

 Happiness is a gift that we can all enjoy if we choose to; it enters your life when you let your thinking patterns take a more positive angle. Rather than coming to negative conclusions hastily, the key is taking time to think about a situation in its entirety. A new angle on things will reveal itself which will make you understand why things happen the way they do.

Learn to smile and laugh a lot more, it is infectious and soon you have others around you doing the same and time seems to pass by a lot better. We all have come across people who have been through all sorts or problems in life and yet they have not stopped laughing or smiling.  In fact, one of my closest friends is going through a pretty rough patch in life with her family. She is always smiling and laughing and acting as if nothing is happening. She is always in a happy silly mood even though things are pretty difficult at home. She is a perfect example to follow and she proves that even in difficult times she has not given up hope or given up on life.

To be loved gives a lot of happiness but to get this love you have to give it. Do not hesitate to show your love and care for those that need it the most. You will be surprised in what a little love to a person can do. Here's a challenge for you, tomorrow during school or work, go up to someone and compliment them. I know my youth pastor has told us to do this but now I'm challenging you to do it to. Happiness comes from giving to those around you. The irony of life is that that happiness lies in the simplest things of life and it does not have to cost a penny. Wouldn't it be sad if we spent our lives not being happy and making everyone else around us unhappy as well??


My definition of being happy is that it isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy. It is what you think about it. For me, something as simple as living and being with my family makes me happy. I especially love Christmas and Thanksgiving because we all come together to celebrate the holidays and everyone's together and everyone's happy. I love being with all my family.



My family is a safe zone where I can be myself. I never have to explain myself to my family because they really know who I am. I can cry too hard or laugh too loud and never worry what they will think of me. It makes me happy knowing that I have a home to come back to after a long day at school and it especially makes me happy knowing that when I'm in college next year and not living with my family, they will always be open armed for me to come home for a weekend. I don't need to fear that someone may lie to me or hurt me because I know that my family will do the best things for me. Moreover, my family will give me advice if and when I need it, but they will not judge me.

While living with my family, I can see their beautiful faces and help them whenever I have the opportunity to, which always makes me happy. Some people say that, a person will change his or her thinking about happiness at each stage of life. They may be right, but one thing which I am sure that will never change is the hope of a healthy and happy family. Have you ever seen your sibling or close family member playing games or sports with their friends with a smile? I think the answer is "yes". With me, the times when my sister is playing "DJ" in the car and changing the song every 15 seconds cause she gets bored of the song, makes me happy because I know she's only being Sarah, her crazy wild self, and she's happy, or its when my mom has me run errands because my dad has her tied up at work answering phones, or its when my dad needs someone to ride the horses with him. He loves to ride the horses and I know it makes him extremely happy. It makes me happy knowing I can be there to help my family.

All in all, nothing is better than a family. I am happy because I have a home that's welcome to me all the time. I can love and be loved by every single person in my family. I hope that they can go with me to the end of life.

If you still live with your family, give them all your love. Try not to forget about your family and spend all your happiness on material things and forget the real meaning of happiness around you.

My Other Half!

There are no words to describe how much I love and adore my family! I was truly blessed to have such an amazing and inspiring family! I am very thankful to have a family who supports me in any decisions that I make. Along with that I have a considerate sister who is known as my other half.

I believe in the bonds of sisterhood. A sister can be your best friend, but will always be more than simply a best friend. She will always be there for me, in good times and bad. She truly knows me and understands me like no one else ever will.
I have one sister and her name is Sarah. I love my sister with all my heart. I will always appreciate everything shes done for me, big and small. I will always treasure the silly and serious times we've had together. I only hope that I have been and will always be the support system that she needs.

My sister has helped me through those hard and good times in my life. While she has always been very close to me, I only recently realized how much the support from my sister has influenced my life. She's more than just my best friend she is my sister! I get the joys of calling her both! There is something about a sister bond that will never break. Friends will come and go throughout the different stages of my life, but I am stuck with my sister forever. Every little argument between us is easily overcome. When I argue with my sister, we are laughing together again merely a few minutes later. I suppose that the bond between me and my sister is partly the fact that we are flesh and blood. But also because we have, well we don't have to but we choose to spend so much time together, we have to like each other. If we didn't, life wouldn't be as much fun as it is!

The second part of the bond is the love from one heart to another. We understand each other without ever having to explain ourselves. If I am upset, Sarah may not know exactly why, but she will immediately know what to do to cheer me up. My sadness is her sadness, and my happiness is her happiness. I share her feelings in return. When my sister accomplishes something, I am truly proud of her. There is no jealously between us. The bonds sisters share are completely genuine, which is something you have to worry about between friends. A friendship between sisters is unbreakable, unchangeable, and impossible to describe in words. Sisterhood is the ultimate friendship that lasts a lifetime.


My sister has taught me a lot of what I know, from how to flawlessly apply mascara (you have to move the brush side to side, not just up and down), how to have integrity in my relationships with God and others, how to have fun in life and to not care what others think of me. What she may have never realized is that the most important lesson she has taught me was the lesson of sisterhood: the importance of deep friendships that can exist no matter where we live, single or dating, and the daily problems that might bring us down.

Sisterhood has some serious spiritual growth applications. James says that we must "confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed" (James 5:16). The bible commands us to develop the kind of friendships in which we can confess our sins to one another, and trust that those with whom we are confessing to will not judge us, but instead, will life us up and pray for the healing of our sins. God gave us sisters and told us to live in a community with one another, not simply so that we won't get lonely, but so we can help one another grow, and get one another through the rocky places we all face on our spiritual paths.

I love you so much Sarah! You mean more to me then you'll ever know! I hope our relationship as sisters and best friends continue to grow as our lives are moving on!