2014 — A Year to Shine

Put a smile on and flash your pearly whites. There are so many reasons to be happy.  Newsflash —if you are reading this you are in fact alive and breathing, something that you shouldn't take for granted. First things first, if you are reading this, already consider yourself lucky because you are privileged enough to have either a computer, laptop, smartphone or maybe all three!

I've realized that life is too short to worry about the smallest, simplest, tiniest things. Live your life the way you want.  If you are happy, then nothing else matters. 

In 2014, don't feel guilty for taking care of yourself.  Sometimes you need a good mani/pedi to take an hour or so to relax and just feel good about yourself. If you want a hair cut, go get one. If you need a facial, go get one.

In 2014, do and wear what makes you feel good. Dress for yourself and wear what makes you happy. If wearing bold makeup makes you feel beautiful, wear it.  If wearing no makeup at all makes you feel beautiful, don't wear any. You're not "hiding" anything about yourself by wearing makeup. Make up doesn't cover up a personality, it just makes you feel more comfortable in your skin. Make yourself feel confident and beautiful this year, like you're ready to conquer the world. And don't let anybody stop you or tell you otherwise.

In 2014, Be the best person you can be. Be the person that you would want to be friends with.  Look in the mirror and think about if you would befriend somebody like yourself. If the answer is yes, great for you but if not, it's not too late to change that.  

In 2014, Love and learn to love yourself. You are the only version of you there is. If you can't love yourself how do you expect anyone else to love you? Love the people you surround yourself with. Be grateful for the people in your life. If that means you have two amazing friends or twenty five great friends, make sure to let them know how much they mean to you. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to be the best you can be. “Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through." Although you cannot hand pick your family... you can decide the relationships you have with them.  Love your family; mom, dad, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles,cousins, nieces, nephews, etc. As much as they might drive you crazy, blood is thicker than water, remember that.

In 2014, Stop worrying about what other people think of you. This is something that I know I struggle with because I know I can be the biggest people pleaser at times.  I do things that I do not necessarily want to do, simply because I'm scared of hurting other peoples feelings and I worry that they won't like me. 2014 is the year of no fear. Understand that and ingrain it into your brain.  It may take time, but if you let your worries go you'll be happier in the long run.
In 2014, Live in the moment. Enjoy life as it is today. Yes, the future is bright but their is always going to a future. Live in the preset and live today like its your last day on Earth. Stop constantly looking for something bigger & better in the future, whether that may be two weeks or two years. So sit back and enjoy life today.
In 2014, Smile...because you can and because there are so many beautiful reasons to.
So stop and take another second to breathe and think about your life. If you are unhappy about something change it.  You hold the power to determine your destiny. Don't take life for granted. Life is short, so view every breathing, living moment you have this year as a lucky one.