I woke up this morning and their was snow!
#sidenote denver is bipolar. #secondsidenote this is really early to have a side note, haha...anyway #backtooriginalsidenote I know everyone from everywhere claims that where they're from, the weather is crazy. But I've lived in Rexburg, Provo, Arizona, China, and Taiwan. Ive visited Cincinnati many times...and now live in Denver. And despite everyone thinking that the weather is crazy from where they're from (granted, nothing and no one is colder than a BYU-Idaho student! because the wind is always cold and you're always walking in a snow storm uphill...both ways! #seriously) anyway, so I don't care where you're from, Denver is crazier! It will be like 80 degrees one day in the middle of January and the next day snow and tons if it, then it melts super fast. Then it all repeats a few weeks later. My hypothalamus can't handle it! Instead of getting used to the cold or hot, it just feels super hot then super cold.
Anyway...back to the original post. So I woke up to take a picture so I can tell you how crazy it is here, and I caught a glimpse of this pretty lady in the camera because the camera was still on selfie mode.
Normally I'm like, ughhh I hate catching myself, especially right after I wake up, but this time I kinda just stared. I looked at her..... She really is pretty, why don't you like to see her? You see that twinkle in her eye? She seems happy. She looks pretty without make up. If you would only focus more on her beautiful and one of a kind freckles you would stop focusing on the things you usually wish were different. Isn't it nice to look past her cheeks you usually stare at because you feel like everyone else stares and judges the weight gain in her face. Isn't it nice to look past her hair and make up and clothes and stop tugging and fixing and just see her? Don't you just love her? Aren't you glad you get to spend everyday with her? Maybe you should be nicer to her. Maybe you should give her a break. She'll never be a model, or always get things done the way you want, or be perfect. But she's trying really hard. And I love her. Yep, you heard me, I love her and you should love her too, because she is perfectly perfect in all her imperfections..... And I wouldn't want to spend my life being with anyone else.
Love yourself!!! #seriously
I was once asked if I'd want to be friends with myself, and 8 years ago with no second thought I said "heck no, I'd drive myself crazy." It brings tears to my eyes to think that I had such negative thoughts towards myself. I realize that I was not the best person back then and really, it was hard to live with me #sorrytomysiblingsandroommates #thanksforlovingmeanyway (good thing I changed before Nate came along or he wouldn't have given me a second look! #seriously). I have changed a lot and through the atonement of Christ I have repented and become better ...but that doesnt mean I should hate myself. I am proud to say that if someone asked me again "would you want to be friends with yourself??" I would proudly and emphatically say "YES!" I mean, I am really funny and nice and I try to help others around me and I am a good mom and wife. Now, before you think this is a post about how amazing Jessica is, its not. Its about how I have come to love myself and how I hope you will will love yourself.
Today, look in the mirror. Really look. Do you love yourself? Would you want to be friends or live with you? If there is anything that is a "no" then maybe you should practice positive affirmations everyday. I do, and it really helps. When I am tempted to look in the mirror and start thinking negative things about my pregnancy weight gain or how I don't look like my friends or wonder why nate married me...I stop myself and I say "You are beautiful" I smile at that beautiful lady staring back at me and walk away from the mirror. I leave myself notes about how beautiful I am and how much my Savior loves me. Nate leaves me lovely notes too.
Life is not about being beautiful, its about love. The Savior wants us to love. Becoming a Celestial Being like our Father in Heaven is about love. So, repeat whatever phrase brings love into your heart! Repeat it to yourself. Tell your children phrases of love. Tell your spouse!
So, love yourself! Stop nitpicking. Start loving, and you will eventually be able to really look in the mirror and really be able to to say: "I love you with all your perfect imperfections. I am so glad I get to live all day every day with you!"
#lastsidenote
I was totally going to post some other stuff today about things I have researched, but felt like someone really needed to hear this...so enjoy!
#oklastlastsidenote
Here is an amazing campaign that I found a while back that I think is wonderful!
This is so great to read Jessica! It is so important. When Christ was asked the the greatest commandment is he said to love God, and the second is to love thy neighbor as thyself. So, first love yourself, then you can truly love others. I've also had to recognize and stop myself from negative self talk. It is sad how easily we can put ourselves down, completely forgetting the reality of being a child of God. We would be appalled at the idea of telling others the things we tell ourselves, it would be considered so cruel and rude. Like you said, positive affirmations! When we really love ourselves we can more easily be filled with confidence and be ready to listen to the Spirit and help others. Great post!
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