ME time

I must be on some kind of a roll. I feel like I have followed through with my little promise to myself that I made that day up in them Tetons a few weeks ago.

I have left my thoughts of self-worthlessness behind. I am feeling empowered and brave.

This doesn't mean that I am not fist-pumping about my grand total of 7 pounds lost since starting "THE PROTOCOL."

Just thought I'd share that I think women are amazing and it's such a shame that so many of us doubt ourselves and find so much fault with ourselves and with other women. When women come together we are incredible forces for either positive-ity or negative-ity (yes those are both words) . It really is such a shame that we often compare ourselves to other women and then feel terrible about ourselves. Can't we ALL be happy and ALL have great qualities? It doesn't take anything away from me and my happiness if something wonderful happens to someone else or if someone else is drop dead gorgeous and has an amazing wardrobe.

Do you ever find it hard to be happy for someone else? Do you ever find yourself feeling like good things always happen to THAT girl?

I find myself in that mentality more than I would like to admit. I am working on this. I am working to overcome my own negativity, jealousy, hatred, and constant comparison of myself to other women.

Why do we do this??? What do we get out of it?

I have decided it is one of Satan's greatest tools to turn us against people we could love and serve. It's his way of getting us down, stressing us out, and making us incapable of doing great things in life and for others. It also prevents us from having time to focus on OURSELVES.

What? What was that? Focus on ourselves? No she didn't just say that. Well, actually yes I did.

I give myself permission to take of ME so that I am able to be more in tune with what the Lord would have me do with my life. If I take care of ME then I am able to actually recognize when I am comparing myself to someone else or being a jealous person, or being selfish.

The more I love myself, the easier it is for me to love others and celebrate life with them. Maybe you all already do this daily and if you do, share with me your secrets. It is something I struggle with and am just barely starting to recognize it.

I guess I could thank Alaina, the most awesome Sunday school teacher any church as ever had (well, the best girl Sunday school teacher because my husband is also a Sunday school teacher. He can be the boy best.)

I love learning to set boundaries and tell people, "No thank you." I love not doing things out of obligation. I love knowing my limits. I love feeling brave enough to not attend an activity if I know it will stress me out.

These are big steps for me and they are paying off. Go Steph.