Welcome. You're Worth It.

Wow.

To think I gave this whole writing thing up because of someone who couldn't appreciate my wit and humor.  Well.  Shame on me.

I've seen the light.

Reading through old blogs tonight I realized something.  I realized that I have always been amazing.  Now, now...  don't go thinking I"m just getting a big head and talking myself up.  Let me explain.

For the longest time, I have let other people influence my self worth so heavily that I forgot that I once set the value for myself.  I'm sure we are all guilty of it.  We base our value on things like being needed in church, at the kid's school, or work, having friends to chat with over coffee or a doting (or more often passive) lover.  We think that without someone calling our name and praising our deeds we lose our significance.

WAKE UP!!

I found that no matter what, in my soul, at my core, I am full of amazing qualities!  I don't need someone to approve of what I write!  I don't need someone to feel as deeply as I do about something! I don't need someone to compliment me to make me feel beautiful or laugh at my jokes so I know I'm funny!  I don't need to listen when people put me down whether intentionally or accidentally.  I am blessed with being me.

And me is someone that only I can be and only I can set the value of.

Funny thing...

Once I opened my eyes and realized that all of me was worth so much more than I was giving it credit for, well...  something crazy happened.  The corners of my mouth turned up.  My shoulders lifted as the weight of burden dissipated.  The future brightened and the past faded behind.  People stepped up in support of my newfound realization...  They encouraged me and they reminded me that I am STRONG.  A word I wouldn't have credited myself with mere months ago.  That I am CAPABLE and BRAVE and POSITIVE and LOVED.  All things I never labeled myself with.  But I'm not only accepting them, I'm embracing them and owning them.

In past musings I have spoken from my heart and I realized tonight that my heart has been flowing through my fingers in just the same way it's crying out tonight.  It's been saying that I've been kicked down, beaten and bruised, mistreated and pushed around, disrespected and downright lied to.  But I rise up.  I stand my ground.  I hold my head high and I smile, because I KNOW God has a plan for me and He WILL see it through.

Same could be said for each and every person reading this.

You feel like you aren't good enough? Like no one cares and no one loves you? That you aren't smart enough, pretty enough, funny enough? Do you shrug off the occasional compliment with doubt and disagreement? Do you hang your head when you aren't certain what people will think of you or hold your tongue because you lack the confidence to speak?

Let me tell you something.  Come here.  Closer....  closer......

YOU ARE AMAZING.

You, me, that chick over there, the dog down the street, the one lady with the nose hair...  We will never be everyone's cup of tea.  But think about it....  if YOU don't want you, how can you ever be receptive when that special someone comes sniffing around for a hot cup of chamomile?

Open your eyes, people....  See your worth.  Embrace it.  Love it, live it, own it.

Don't let them steal your joy.  It's yours. And only you can give it away.

Start now.  Do something for you.  Something as simple as reading a book or drawing a picture, singing at the top of your lungs, taking extra time to fancy yourself without hope or intent of turning anyone's head but your own, dancing to the song on the radio...  Find what makes you happy at your core and let it out!!

SO because I feel the need to open my venue with the right attitude:

I AM AWESOME.

So are you.

And because we are all now on the same page.....  turn with me in the near future as I embark on the fabulous journey to find out what happens next as "TORI WILL BLOG AGAIN".

The best is yet to come.