"Don't forget to love yourself."
- Soren Kierkegaard

Happy New Year! It is officially 2017!

With the new year ringing in, many of you may be trying to get down writing '2017' instead of '2016.' Maybe you are kicking up your feet and relaxing, reminiscing on what life in 2016 brought you. Many of you are probably writing down a list of things that you think should become your New Years Resolution...

Well, I am about to tell you a very personal story. Why am I telling such a private thing on such a broad outlet? I know that many of you need to hear this, too.

For me, it has become an annual event for me to sit and think of all the things I just suck at. After I accumulate a list of all the things I do not like about myself... or do not think is good enough... or do not think is pretty enough... I try to come up with ways to love myself more.

This may sound funny to some of you, but it is a real thing. I did not realize what my version of a New Years Resolution had turned into. The constant 'not good enough' attitude was becoming a part of me... a part of me, and a part of many of you. It's is the only true thing we need to repair.

For the New Year, I am determined to better myself... by loving myself!

Loving yourself is a beautiful trait, and I cannot imagine what a beautiful world we would have if everyone just accepted themselves as who they are. I am not talking about being selfish or only caring about yourself. I am talking about taking a couple minutes, an hour, heck even a full day to yourself! Every once in a while read a book, spend some time with God, watch TV, live life! If you want a cookie, eat a cookie!

In the midst of all the craziness life has to bring, a good friend of mine asked me when I had last spent just a couple of minutes to myself... and I could not even tell her. Sometimes the things we strive to be and work so hard for become our identity, and we lose ourselves in those things.

This New Year, I encourage all of you to find yourself. Learn to love yourself for who you are! Then, if you strive to do a little self-improvement, definitely do it! But what has to come first is for you to love you and your flaws. Embrace your life and what makes you different! Love others for their differences too; it is what makes this world so special.

"New Year, New You" is getting a little old anyways...

New Year, New Love