It's Time to Move Forward

Good morning!  Armed with my favorite cup of coffee, a nutri grain bar and a clean pair of glasses, I'm ready to post my first actual real blog...cleaning house will be my exercise today, but we'll discuss my "love" for exercise another day.

Quiet as it's kept, reading and writing are my first loves, not singing...but, shhh don't tell my husband (Ike). Before I continue let me say this--whatever I write about will always be honest and true. So, whether we have 1 or 1,000 readers, I love to write...so I'll be here!  Don't leave me out here in the blogosphere alone...commune with me! :-)

A recent conversation I had with my family made me realize that we live with too much regret.  Mother's beat themselves up for not being "Suzie Homemaker," father's regret not being able to be better providers and the list goes on and on and on...

Well, I say regret no more!  It's time to move forward and learn from the past. The only problem I have with the past, is staying there.  Grow-up, move forward, learn, evolve, change...Change is GREAT!  I love it, it isn't always easy but it is good.

If  I could advise my younger self, here's what my advice would be:

Love exactly who you are--hips and all.  Don't hate your oily skin, you won't wrinkle quickly. Embrace your differences and don't be ashamed of them.  I would tell my younger self that even though you'll make mistakes, you are not defined by them, you are not defined by your failures but with God's help, you can have a good outcome.  Don't worry about gaining weight, for some, it comes with the territory--at 38, in a size 14 you'll still be catchin' 'em! :-) I would advise my younger self to recognize that, pain disappointment and hurt are a part of life, not a state of being, and that she would get over the broken heart that comes with  the loss a first love.  And that real love is often times the complete opposite of what we expect it to be...trust me on that one!  I would definitely tell my youger self to learn to be forgiven and forgiving--you're gonna' need that skill later on.  I would tell my younger self to really listen to my mother, heed her advice and watch her example.  Turns out, she really does know what she's talking about.  And lastly, I'd tell my younger self to recognize her self-worth.  That she is beautiful, smart, capable and talented. And to love God with her whole heart, in the very end, He'll become your very best friend.

Admittedly, there are some things I would really love to go back and do differently.  But, I can't, so I hope and pray that my children will learn from their father and me.  It's time to move forward, no more past regrets, no more woulda', coulda', shoulda'!  Move on! Forgive yourself and really allow yourself to be forgiven, forgive your loved ones, let go of your past.  What's done is done and there is absolutely nothing you can do to change it, we can however, create a new environment for ourselves and our families. Be a better you, he or she is in there.  And since God's mercy is new every morning, take advantage of that particular caveat and move on!

Until the next time we chat, remember designer shoes can be purchased for up to 50% off and Off Fifth and NM Last Call  but, loving yourself and those around you is absolutely free!    #totallyrandom