Random Acts of Kindness

I got this message this evening on Tumblr: "Do something random. Take a picture of yourself right now. Don't go put on makeup, do your hair, or anything. Just take the picture and I hope you see how beautiful you are."

So I did :

I am always one that criticizes myself, over analyzes every little flaw, sees the imperfections in myself rather than what I like. But this was just another reminder that I shouldn't do that. I should love myself for who I am. Realize that I don't have to wear makeup when I go out to cover up my acne. Realize it is okay that I have gained some weight over these past 6 months. It is people like this anonymous person on Tumblr that sent me this message that honestly make the world a better place.

So I challenge you, to take a picture of yourself. No makeup. No hair done up. No clothes that make you look "skinnier". No angles that make you look "better". Because you are perfect the way you are.

4 years with my love

Thursday the 17th of January was Spence and my 4 year anniversary. This year was the first year we did not spend it together, but he came up this weekend to celebrate. Saturday we went out to dinner in Waynesville, NC to The Chef's Table. We have been there once before after we got engaged and the food is simply amazing! Not only is the food some of the best I have ever had, they have a huge selection of beer and wine. We ended up getting a bottle of red wine, which we never do, but we felt like being "fancy" because it is a special occasion.We then went back to my apartment and watched the movie "Ted" which neither of us had seen but it was hilarious. Horrible humor but definitely a good watch. Sunday we literally just had a lazy day watching movies all day and cooked breakfast and dinner together. So simple, but it was so perfect for the two of us!

On one hand I can't believe Spence and I have been together for 4 years. On the other hand it feels like so much longer. It is amazing how much we have grown up since we started dating, and how much we have grown together. When we first started dating I never thought I would fall so in love with him, to the point that he is the only person that knows everything about me. He is my best friend, my better half, and just being with him makes me a better person. He is the first person I talk to when I wake up. The last person I talk to before I go to sleep. He is the first person I call when something is wrong. The first person I call when I have good news. It is amazing how two so imperfect individuals can be so absolutely perfect for one another.

Live Life as a Semicolon

I saw a picture of a girl with a tattoo of a semicolon on her wrist that covered her self harm scars. The caption said "A semicolon is used when a sentence could have been ended, but it wasn't." This got me thinking. I am assuming the girl got this regarding her self harm scars. A reminder that her life could have ended by suicide but it wasn't. A reminder that she is still here despite everything she has gone through.

Now a semicolon could refer to many things. A cancer survivor, a car accident, losing a loved one and thinking your world was going to end. Like a sentence, our lives eventually will end but there is hope that in a time where we think the end is near a "semicolon" comes along and gives us a second chance. A semicolon can be anyone or anything. Whether it is your significant other, God, a friend, a doctor, a song, a quote, or a long walk, your semicolon is there to keep you going when you think it is the end.

I have no idea who this girl is but if you happen to stumble upon my blog, I want you to know that I am proud of you. Proud of you for not giving up. And I am thankful for you, thankful that you are giving me a new outlook on life. Our lives don't have to end prematurely because of the circumstances we are in. We need to remember that there is always that semicolon that can keep us hanging long for a little bit longer and help us get through whatever we are currently facing.

So live life as a semicolon. Be a semicolon for someone else. Help them through the bad times and let them know that everything will be okay. Be a semicolon for yourself. Fight whatever you are going through and realize that your life does not have to end now. Just as this sentence does not have to end right now, neither does your life.

Original image found here.