Self Improvement Sunday – Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto

A reading of “The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto” by Dr. Brene Brown from her book Daring Greatly as seen on OWN.

The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto
Above all else, I want you to know that you are loved and loveable.

You will learn this from my words and actions—the lessons on love are in how I treat you and how I treat myself.

I want you to engage with the world from a place of worthiness.

You will learn that you are worthy of love, belonging, and joy every time you see me practice self-compassion and embrace my own imperfections.

We will practice courage in our family by showing up, letting ourselves be seen, and honoring vulnerability. We will share our stories of struggle and strength. There will always be room in our home for both.

We will teach you compassion by practicing compassion with ourselves first; then with each other. We will set and respect boundaries; we will honor hard work, hope, and perseverance. Rest and play will be family values, as well as family practices.

You will learn accountability and respect by watching me make mistakes and make amends, and by watching how I ask for what I need and talk about how I feel.

I want you to know joy, so together we will practice gratitude.

I want you to feel joy, so together we will learn how to be vulnerable.

When uncertainty and scarcity visit, you will be able to draw from the spirit that is a part of our everyday life.

Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.

We will laugh and sing and dance and create. We will always have permission to be ourselves with each other. No matter what, you will always belong here.

As you begin your Wholehearted journey, the greatest gift that I can give to you is to live and love with my whole heart and to dare greatly.

I will not teach or love or show you anything perfectly, but I will let you see me, and I will always hold sacred the gift of seeing you. Truly, deeply, seeing you.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/own-supersoulsunday/blogs/Dr-Bren233-Brown-The-Wholehearted-Parenting-Manifesto#ixzz2qD6yaWwD

Happiness According to Gandhi

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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Success vs. Happiness

“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” – W.P. Kinsella

It’s Okay Not to be Okay

It’s okay not to be okay. You don’t have to be happy all the time. Life isn’t going to be a nonstop joyride. Allow yourself to feel pain. Sit with it. It’s okay to have a broken heart or hurt feelings. It’s okay to be scared or anxious. All of this is part of life. A beautiful, tragic, and adventurous life.

Conversations with God – Zephaniah 3:17

February 18, 2013

It is written, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exalt over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17. My sweet precious one, I am so glad you have once again sat before me, quiet in my presence. I’ve been yearning to speak with you. First, I am proud of you. I am SO proud of you and I LOVE you! I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU! Don’t let your heart grow faint. I am with you. I have always been and will always be. Do I not know the desires of your heart? Have I not seen your hard work and years of toil? Will I not reward you for this more than you can even imagine? Remember my lamb, your reward is heaven. That is the greatest reward of all and it is already yours. Fix your eyes on heaven and your heavenly reward. It is already here, already yours. While on Earth, continue to work for me, as you are called to do. Do not get sidetracked with what if’s and questions of your earthly rewards or gains. I handle all what ifs and earthly rewards are a mere mille-fraction of what awaits you in heaven. So, my precious one, be at rest. Relax in knowing that I care for you. Cast your burden onto me. You don’t know nor understand how you are already working for me in your daily life. But I do. Love yourself for what you’ve done so far. You are strong and I am proud. Stay where you are, you are just where I want you to be. Here, with me. Seeking me. Looking for me. Speaking with me. I long for this even more so than you do. Take things one day at a time. Aware of me and my presence and my working within you. I am always working within you. The things I have planned for you are great. Good things, which will make your heart glad. I am preparing you how to receive these things just as everything in you life up to this point has prepared you. You are well equipped, my soldier. You are ready. Don’t forget me as you discuss your future. Remember, it is my future, after all. I don’t make mistakes. Trust in me, little one. I placed dreams deep into your heart for a reason. And I didn’t give you these dreams without any intent on fulfilling them. Keep your faith, my child. Stay close to me. Rest in my presence. We have some exciting dream fulfilling adventures just around the corner and you’re more ready and able than you have ever been before. I love you. Let’s do this more often.

How to Curl Your Hair With a Straightener – Step by Step Tutorial

The easiest way to get the beachy hair look without hitting the surf and sand! A step by step tutorial on how to curl your hair with a straightener. Enjoy and happy curling!

Happiness According to Audrey Hepburn

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – It’s all that matters.” -Audrey Hepburn

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Moments of Happiness

“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them. But that they seize us.” -Ashley Montague

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French Braid Bun – How To – Easy Step by Step Tutorial

For those of us who are too busy to do our own hair or simply too lazy (like me), the french braid bun is a great hairstyle that will have you looking glum to glam in no time! I’ve included here an easy to follow step by step tutorial of how to do a french braid bun on yourself. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments section! Hope you enjoy!

Beware of Shaming Others

Beware of shaming others. For both kids and adults alike, the difference between telling someone, “You did something bad” and “You are bad” is an entire world.