Day 6: Beauty

I've always been one of those girls that have felt that they need outside products to make myself beautiful. However, I do believe there are different forms of beauty. I've always felt that for me to complete all the versions of the "beautiful me" that I always needed to make sure I get my nails, eyebrows, and hair done. Otherwise, you are not reaching your beauty potential.

For this new year, my goal was originally to try and force myself to go natural for the first month. It's been 6 days and I've already learned that natural isn't what makes me happy. I don't wear mascara and do my nails to mask the flaws of my body. I do it because it's fun and it feels amazing to be pampered.

I let society try and convince me that makeup and outside sources were evil to my soul. I've come to learn throughout this week that the art of being beautiful isn't about what you wear or don't wear. It's about how you FEEL.

...AND I FEEL AMAZING!

Whether I beat my face or I'm in my PJ's, I feel beautiful. Therefore, I am beautiful.

Tell me about YOUR beautiful YOU. Comment down below ❤

                                     

(I do not own any rights to this photo. All rights reserved to the original artist.)

Day 5: Intelligence 

Today is the first day of 2018 and most of us have a list of goals we want to accomplish. Every year we get older and grow closer to achieving our dreams; however, we seem to feel like there is something in the way. We cut people off, choose different habits, and try new things that make us happy. Yet still, we cannot get to the main source.
You are the source.
You are what keeps you from your dreams. Not because you are not good enough for greatness, but because you believe that you don't deserve it or have what it takes to get to where you want to be. You always give yourself the short end of the stick and stay in your comfort-zone where you know you'll always succeed.

Whether you're the person that is used to being called 'amazing' and doesn't want it to stop, so you try to stay away from things that are too challenging or the person that has never been given the opportunity to show how amazing you are, you are doing yourself a great injustice.

There is no singular way to measure intelligence. Failing a test/class/grade does not make you stupid. Failing only reflects the absence of time. You were not given enough time to learn something that you could master if you had the appropriate tools and guidance.

Intelligence is not about how fast you solve something or get to your destination. Intelligence is shown when you continue to strive for it no matter how difficult it may be.

Give yourself the credit you deserve. Do not compare yourself to others who have mastered something you are working on quicker than you. If your goals are not met, don't drag yourself down. It is not your time yet. Continue to do what you are doing to work towards the day the universe has granted you the opportunity to achieve this goal.

You are intelligent. You are amazing. You are destined for greatness. Be patient with yourself.
                                                               

(I do not own any rights to this photo. All rights reserved to the original artist.)

Day 4: Language 

Your language is a part of yourself that can never be erased. No one should be able to take that away from you. Your language is a symbol of where you've been and where you have the potential to go. It is meant to project your soul, and no one should have the power to take your soul away.

We have this idea that "Standard English" is the only way you can be successful in this life. While the media and our educators project this one way of thinking, I'm here to tell you that this is completely wrong. I cannot exclude myself and say I have never code switched when I'm in a professional setting. It is not wrong to code switch to be able to identify with those around you. But, when it gets to the point where you let go of your native tongue (whether it be another language or slang) to be able to please others, this is where you have lost a part of yourself that you need seek out again.

Don't let anyone, including yourself, take your language away from you. This is your culture and way of being. Speaking slang or having an accent does not make you considered 'less than' next to someone who may have mastered standard English. You are not in competition with each other. This is an opportunity to be able to speak to someone who sounds differently than you, which becomes a path towards learning and understanding for you both.

Though, I will say, some may judge you for choosing to stay true to your language, you are not the problem. They are.

                                             

(I do not own any rights to this photo. All rights reserved to the original artist.)

Day 3: Body
The cold Winter days might make you see a new side of your self. A side that is lazy and has found their way towards social media. Social media can be a beautiful yet dangerous place. Social media is where people get to highlight their most praised bodily attributes and are given compliments for it. It's a beautiful thing to see your fellow friends being happy with their body, so much so that they are confident enough to show it to others. However, you may have not mastered that skill yet. What's holding you back from loving your body?

What are your flaws? What have you made the effort in loving or changing about your body?
It's very hard to always keep in mind that every body is different and there is no one form of 'beauty' (even if society seems to project one the most).

The cycle of envy is never ending. You may be looking at a picture of a beautiful woman who seems to have it all together. She has curves for days and a butt that a tea cup could stand on. You lose yourself within her pictures and dream of having her body, but little do you know, someone else is doing the exact same for your pictures.

Though, it's good to praise and compliment others, why don't you give yourself that same attention once in a while?
Spend time with yourself every morning as you shower. Run your fingers through your hair (or head), have your hand trace every hill or valley on your body. Model in the mirror naked and show yourself how magical you truly are. 🟎

There is nothing wrong with loving yourself. 
                                                          

(I do not own any rights to this photo. All rights reserved to the original artist.)

Wonder By: R.J Palacio

Summary: 
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that has always limited his childhood. He has been home-schooled all of his life— until now. This book gives us a look into August's first year of traditional schooling a Beecher Prep. Fith grade is already difficult for most kids, but August's situation is a little more unique than others.

Here, we experience all of August's new friendships and experiences. August gets bullied for something he cannot control and deals with the every day struggles of knowing he is not a normal little boy. Throughout the book we learn about August's intense insecurities and how he uses them to promote his own growth.

Review: 
Stellar book about what it means to be different. Though, everyone's "different" might not be as apparent as August's, we get an inside glimpse of how August views himself and the reaction of others when meeting August. This is a story of heartbreak, laughs, and growth.

Not only does Palacio include August deep insecurities, but also shows how his condition not only effects him, but others around him.
The reoccurring theme of this book is love, acceptance, appreciation, and growth.

Overall, a beautiful and touching story. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!  

Rating: 9.5/10
                                             

"I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" By: Erika L. Sanchez

Summary:
The book starts off with our main character Julia Reyes, staring down at her 22-year-old dead sister, Olga. Olga was the embodiment of what a perfect Mexican daughter should be. Julia considers herself far from perfect. She strives for more than her over protective mother is limiting her towards. 

Julia dreams of living in New York City, attending college, and becoming a writer. However, the rest of her family sees her as the black sheep and constantly compares her to her passed sister. Julia reaches a breaking point within the novel where she is using Olga's death and her past dark secrets to discover that maybe Olga wasn't so perfect at all. She uses Olga to understand parts of herself she didn't know existed.

Thoughts:
This book represents what it means to be Mexican and depicts key points within Mexican culture. Our main character Julia doesn't fit in with the people around her in Chicago and dreams of becoming much more than her surroundings. This book questions what it means to be perfect, Mexican, and a woman.
What do you do when your perfect sister dies perfect, while she was never really perfect at all?

Rating: 8/10
                                                

Good morning, sunshine 🌻

Day 2: Accepting Your Sexuality. 

We are all made differently, and your 23 pairs of chromosomes were crafted perfectly to make you the person you are right now. There is no one perfect way of being. Choose acceptance. Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself "I love who I love, and that is okay." If your body feels something for another human being (and they are no danger to your physical or spiritual form) THEN GO FOR IT! Life is short, and love is beautiful. There is no changing who you are, nor should that even be an option. The problem is never your sexual orientation, but judgement against the self. Always remember that you are you and accepting yourself for the person that you are is something to be immensely proud of!

To the people that hate others because of their sexuality: 
Certain people have accepted themselves and refuse to accept the sexuality of others, which is still a work in progress within this world. Do not let religion or your views dictate the way others choose to live. Though, it's important you learn that everyone is still human, regardless of who they lay in bed with, if you cannot come to terms with who they love then it is your job to come to terms with letting others be happy. Everyone deserves a chance to live the life they want, regardless of gender or the amount of (consensual) partners they may have. Acceptance may be hard for you, but this doesn't mean you should inflict plain on another person solely because of the fact that you cannot simply accept their way of being.

Life is too short, and the universe is too vast. Choose love when hate presents itself as an option.

(I do not own any rights to this photo. All rights reserved to the original artist.)