Why DON'T I Like ME?

Who hasn't EVER disliked themselves? Not too many of us.

I am thankful for parents who were loving, nurturing and helped us see the inner beauty in EVERYONE!

I remember my Father instructing us to never say unkind things about people, but especially the handicapped. I believe it was because of this "awareness" that I learned to appreciate the positive aspects about people and to lose sight on outer and/or physical beauty, at an early age.

I was born in the Sixties, in Buffalo, New York and attended Catholic school. My parents exposed us to people of different ethnicities, cultures, social and religious backgrounds, so I feel it helped me compare my life with those whom I encountered. I was taught to never look down on anyone, but to appreciate our family value system versus that of my peers. Given this tool or "gift", (which I cultivated over time), I amassed the ability of "LIKING" myself.

How do you "LIKE" yourself? EVERYONE LIKES themselves, right? Wrong! Personally, LIKING ME, came through what I would term "comparison shopping". You know, comparing the price of an item in one store, against the price of the same item in a different store. When you observe people and the qualities about them that are likeable or dislikeable, it causes you to internalize. What is it about their behavior that you would change? Do you see yourself in their behavior? If so, change what you dislike about them (and YOURSELF) and apply it to YOU. Once you've done this often enough, YOU become a more likeable person, until EVEN YOU, LIKE YOU! Try it!

GOD is Thinking about ME?

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (KJV) This is a familiar Scripture passage, and one that excites our spirits. However, if you read the preceding verses, GOD is still speaking. He admonishes His People, through the Prophet, Jeremiah NOT to be deceived by the false Prophets, who told them through "their" words and dreams, that they would exit the land of their captivity in two years. GOD said "...AFTER seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you..."

God would have us understand the TEST, yields a TESTIMONY! Do NOT be in a hurry, as there is much to learn IN the trial. Psalms 23:4 says, "Yea, though I WALK through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,..."  Isaiah 43:2 "When thou WALKest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned,..." God has already THOUGHT it through! He has us IN and ON His Mind! Be encouraged, since you know you're coming out of your struggle, a winner, what's the rush? Praise Him in Advance!

HAPPY is MORE than an EMOTION...

I have been called QUEEN HAPPY!
WHY you ask? The answer is pretty simple. I have discovered that HAPPY is MORE than an EMOTION, it is a DECISION! The average person allows their HAPPY to be predicated upon life's circumstances. However, I discovered that I MAKE the choice, the decision to BE HAPPY, to STAY HAPPY and, ultimately, to LIVE HAPPY! How much simpler will it be to retain your HAPPY when it is in YOUR control? It is not encumbered, nor does it encroach upon others, EVER! Negative stimulus no longer has the ability to determine how you react or respond. But HOW? You simply CHOOSE to not be held captive by situations to which you have no control. Live HAPPY!