These signs hang in a small park in our neighborhood. It's a good example of why I love it here. We see stuff like this all o...

Learning to Love Yourself



These signs hang in a small park in our neighborhood. It's a good example of why I love it here. We see stuff like this all over the Portland/Beaverton area. People trying to help each other feel better. I love it. I love trying to help people feel better about themselves just like I love being around people that try to help me feel better about myself. I feel fortunate to be surrounded with many people like this and want to return the favor.

Feeling good about yourself is key to a happy life. As someone who has suffered and recovered from anorexia, I can tell you first-hand the horrific impact negative thoughts and feelings can have on your mind, body, and soul. They can ruin you, in the worst ways. Those thoughts are like poison, maybe you'll live through a little but once it spreads throughout you, it can kill you, or at the least make you very ill. After being sick and miserable for years from my self-loathing, I learned this was no way to live, and if I wanted to recover and thrive, I'd have to change my way of thinking. 

It's no easy feat to change your thoughts. But it's like any other bad habit, if you truly put your mind to it and work hard, you can overcome it. I would love to help others in their journey to feeling better about themselves. I won't pretend for even a second that I'm 100% positive all the time. I've come a very long way from my worst, but it is definitely a battle I still fight daily. But I do think the progress I've made and how I've made it could help many others. I have written several posts about bodylove, but there is a lot more to be said on the subject of loving yourself. So I will start writing more regularly on this topic, with any tips, happy thoughts, or stories I think could help.

It's time to build ourselves up instead of constantly tearing ourselves down. 

It's time to believe in ourselves, our capabilities and aspirations. 

It's time to be the people we know we can be, the best versions of ourselves. We'll never get there by being negative. 

It's time to love all of ourselves for who we are right now, and to see what can happen in our lives when we do.

I hope you'll join me on this journey to loving yourself!

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Many of us struggle with pain. Pain is a part of being human. Even Buddha said "life is suffering." And he was right, sometimes...

Life is Suffering


Many of us struggle with pain. Pain is a part of being human. Even Buddha said "life is suffering." And he was right, sometimes in life, we have to suffer, to learn something, to appreciate life, whatever the reason, suffer we must. Thankfully it's usually temporary and things get better. But for some people, their entire life has become suffering. I'm talking about people that struggle with chronic pain or illness. I'm sure you know at least one person with this problem, as it sadly, seems to be much more common lately. I wrote a letter to someone I know and care deeply for, that is having this struggle. It was published on The Mighty. If you also know someone like this, give this a read and let me know what you think.

http://themighty.com/2016/07/a-letter-to-someone-struggling-with-chronic-pain/

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Almost 16 years ago, I walked into my first day of Algebra II. A nervous and self-conscious 15 year old, I immediately scanned the classro...

Beginnings

Almost 16 years ago, I walked into my first day of Algebra II. A nervous and self-conscious 15 year old, I immediately scanned the classroom for a friend to sit next too. I spotted Brian near the front, who I only knew from a few, short conversations we'd had the year before. Thankful to see someone who didn't suck, I took the seat next to him and said "hey Brian." Quiet and shy at the time (believe it or not), Brian gave a small smile back and said "hey." He might've been blushing, too.

Where you sit in class your Sophomore year of high school...such a seemingly insignificant decision in the grand scheme of things, but turned out to be a crucial moment in my life. We spent the school year flirting and getting to know each other, and then started dating. And so began our journey together, and what a journey it's been! I could write a nice, long book about our relationship, but in the interest of time, I'll give you the short version mostly through pictures.

A little over 15 years ago, I took a chance on this guy:
Huh?
 And he took a chance on this girl:
Yep that's a cat in my jacket sleeve...wtf
And we fell in love:
Awwwww
And we ended up getting married 13 years ago today:
More Awwwwws
And created a nice life together, including creating a couple of beautiful, little lives:
Sebastian- 2 weeks old

Oscar- 2 weeks old

And now we're one big, happy family. 


And we are living happily ever after. :)

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