One Day

[SimplySheri]

~~One day you'll look back and you'll realize you never needed anyone but yourself.  You didn't need the alcohol, the drugs, the escapes, the gurus, the work and overworking, the busyness, the cigarettes, the sex, the food and the overeating, the achievements, the negative relationships, all the people-pleasing or whatever it was you clung to in your past because you thought you weren't enough.  One day you'll realize you've only ever needed you. And tears might fall down your eyes in relief and wonder because it will feel so simple and yet it felt so impossible to see at the time.  And it might hurt a little bit too as bittersweet things do.  But it won't be the kind of pain that damages.  It will be more the one that is proof of you truly being alive now, with your heart so soft, your mind open, signs that you feel things now.  That you're not scared to feel things.  And you'll definitely sigh.  You'll sigh deep because things are different now and you are finally in love with yourself and life.  You'll sigh because you feel grateful that today you know the truth.  ~~  s.c.lourie

Sometimes I feel that someone out there needs to hear things like this from time to time.  More than reading about addiction, more than reading about cravings, sometimes you just need to hear that you are ok.  That things will get better.  That you matter to us and to the world.

Because life can be challenging.  It sometimes hurts.  It sometimes gets so stressful you feel you can't breathe.  And it can be heart wrenchingly painful to think about tomorrow when you feel you can't even make it through today.

Please remember that a bad day doesn't make it a bad life.  There is beauty in life, too, and joy and peace and gladness and appreciation.  There, in the midst of your hurt, will also be love by those close to you.  To hold you up until you can once again stand on your own.

Love yourself.  No matter how you are feeling or what you are going through, love yourself.  Love your flaws and your mistakes and your weirdness and your faults because they are what make you unique.  They teach you lessons you need to learn.  They are as much a part of who you are as is your kindness and your goodness.  And they aren't 'bad' nor do they make you 'bad'.  They make you human.  So love them and please learn to love yourself.  You are worth it.

That, I can promise  

Sheri

[Mandolinrain]

Beautiful

[YoungAtHeart]

I am a work in progress on this - but I am STARTING to believe that what I do is not who I am.  It does not define my value, either.  Difficult lesson for some of us, I think.

Thank you for the reminder!

Nancy

[SimplySheri]

It's sort of like your weekly 'don't drink and lose your quit' messages, YoungAtHeart‌ Nancy.  Sometimes we need reminders to refocus on loving ourselves.  It's an important lesson to learn and makes life so much better! 

[YoungAtHeart]

and you always say it SO well!

Thanks!

Nancy

[MarilynH]

Thank you Sheri for another great awe inspiring blog post, so beautiful......

[JonesCarpeDiem]

[Daniela2016]

It is a real struggle for me Sheri...

When I gave birth to our son, despite the fact I was a good kid, never got in any kind of trouble (not the trouble parents are being called in the principal's office anyways), I had completed a high level education, and was married, my father said "this is the best thing you've ever done".  What a slap in the face I felt at his comment.  May you RIP dad, you were right,  what I am seeing today, if there is one thing I did right, it is raising my son to be the man I am really proud of. So, if I have ever been enough, I have been enough of a mom.

Nancy calls it "work in progress", I don't even know if I can say that with a light heart, or even if I have enough time left to feel enough.  

Thank you Sheri to give us reasons to believe we might actually be enough, even if it is a struggle to see it this way.

[elvan]

We ARE enough and that's a great way to look at it. Daniela2016‌ you are so much more than enough.  Yes, you are an amazing mother but you also are an amazing daughter and a compassionate and loving friend.  You are seriously SPECIAL.  

Love,

Ellen

[Bellegonia]

Hugs Daniela.

[Daniela2016]

Thank you so much dear elvan‌ Ellen, I have a mentor when it comes to giving yourself to others, and pushing through hard times, and that is You dear lady!

hugs and much love back to you!

[Daniela2016]

Thank you Bellegonia , you are very sweet!

[SimplySheri]

Daniela, everyone has their own journey.  The events, people, and personalities that shape our lives and make it complex to say the least oftentimes takes a lifetime to figure out.  We are never too old nor too wise to learn in our journeys.  You have always been enough from the day you were born.  I truly believe that.  But even our parents see us only from their live experiences as well.  It's up to us, I think, to see beyond what we know.  You inspire me, Daniela, and so many others I'm sure.  So what your father saw you as is entirely different from how I view you....and the list of how people see you is limitless.  But putting it all together, it's how you see yourself that counts and that matters.  One of my favorite quotes is "I am who I decide to become, not what has happened to me."  It's up to you to find yourself and that is one of God's greatest gifts to us...allowing us to discover who we are  

Sorry this is so long but I wanted you to understand that even if it is a struggle, finding yourself and loving yourself is so worth it!!  Much love to you, beautiful soul!!

[YoungAtHeart]

And - to add a bit to this, everyone sees you through their own lens of experiences.  Perhaps what you think is your highest achievement is something that isn't valued as much by someone else.

It's why YOUR opinion of yourself is of the utmost importance and should carry the most weight.

Very thought provoking blog, as always, Sheri.

I am so glad you bring your sensitivity to our community!

Nancy

[SimplySheri]

And I love that you bring insight and clarity, Nancy!!  Especially since I'm not always as clear as I should be.  This response is exactly what I meant to say but didn't get out   I appreciate you and sincerely hope that you value yourself as much as we value you (try to say that three times fast!).  You're amazing.

[YoungAtHeart]

[Love4MeFromMe]

This is now bookmarked, and I will read it daily. Thank you so much for this!!!

[SimplySheri]

So glad you like it   Enjoy.

[Giulia]

" bad day doesn't make it a bad life"  This my take away.  You are a gift here.  Thank you.

[SimplySheri]

  Glad you found something to take away