To Thine Own Self Be True

Or something like that from Shakespeare.

I am feeling inspired to write about a lot of things I have been seeing with a lot of gals I know. How much and how long are we going to beat ourselves over for things not always being so perfect and just so?

Why do we sometimes feel lonely in a sea of people surrounding us? When are we going to embrace the sisterhood bonding that should bring us all together despite our differences in personalities and lifestyles?

We've got to learn to love ourselves and accept ourselves. In doing so we need to love and accept others for who they are. We need to reach out a loving and helping hand to those in need, or even just a listening ear. Even if it means talking by the roadside late at night with a good friend.

Yesterday at church was a very inspiring visiting teaching conference about loving our sisters in Christ and being a helping hand to those in need. I had to subtlely wipe away a few moisture drops gathering at the end of my lashes.

So I am going to share a few "Heather Mae is not perfect but perfectly happy with my life" tips:

When I feel a grudge that is lasting too long, I attack the kitchen floor and scrub it until the grudge is gone and my floors gleam, then I have one more thing checked off my to-do list. Besides, it feels good to slam a few cupboard doors. It's harmless.

When I make something for my home I tell myself "it does not need to be perfect to be beautiful." I accept what I have done for me and my family and friends.

When I don't want to do something, I do it anyways and feel better when it is done.

I tell myself to shut up once in a while and listen. Don't give advice.

Then sometimes I give advice, then follow thru by inviting/helping a person implement that advice. "Faith without works is dead." The same goes for help/service/love etc.

Now let's talk about compassion. Late last night my son Seth asked me why I have been listening to different women lately, who pour their frustrations and feelings out. Let's just say I have been where they have been at one point in my life.

And I already know what it feels like to be rejected, beaten, smacked, hit, teased, tripped, spit on, pushed, ignored, ostracized, punched, thrown down the stairs, shoved against fences, stabbed and all manner of abuse on a daily basis. Outside of my home it was one hellacious childhood.

As an adult, it simply just rolls off my shoulder now when I run into any acceptance or friendship problems. After having been through the worst life had to offer me, I have learned to be a survivor and accept myself for who I am. I know who my real friends are, and who loves me for who I really am. I don't keep count. I don't care about the Facebook number of friends I have. If a lady at church decides to ignore me or advert her eyes to avoid saying hi to me, I really don't care at all. I don't need much. I simply do not desire to be a social butterfly, I am more of a busy bee anyways.

So I am asking all my gal pals: do you love and accept yourself for who you are? Life might be difficult, but honestly ask yourself, is it really that difficult? Does life need to be perfect?

So the next time someone judges you, let them. Who cares???? They have no true input on our lives. They have nothing to do to where we want to be. Let it go!! Move on. There's plenty of "fish in the sea."

It's only important how we judge ourselves. How we love and accept ourselves.


To close my post, I found this sums it up perfectly for me:

Yet here, Laertes! Aboard, aboard for shame!
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail,
And you are stay'd for.
There ... my blessing with thee!
And these few precepts in thy memory
Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportion'd thought his act.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg’d comrade. Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel but, being in,
Bear't that th' opposed may beware of thee.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;
For the apparel oft proclaims the man;
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that.
Neither a borrower, nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!
-- William Shakespeare

Thanks for listening. My next post will hopefully be some sort of fun project or craft.