Love Oneself

“You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”

― Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass

The road less traveled is my road.

It has been my way since birth.

I was the baby who wasn’t supposed to survive.

I was the child who was bullied because she was fat.

I was the youth who read the entire religion section of the local library one summer to find my way.

I was the young adult who did what I pleased, some of which I regret, and damn the consequences…

I was the older adult who, after her divorce and first degree, moved two hours away from family to start a new life in the big city – with two elementary school aged children.

I was the person who was so jaded from said divorce that it took 15 years and many mistakes to trust again when I met my Love Larry.

But I learned many lessons from him and more about myself after he died.

Worked on my healing and myself.

Examined my shadows

Now I fully embrace all of my crazy, serious, philosophical, nerdy self.

I’m just weird, but I own it!

“So you’re a little weird? Work it! A little different? OWN it! Better to be a nerd than one of the herd!”

― Mandy Hale

I truly love my imperfect self.

It took a lot of tears, screaming, soul-searching, and courage to turn around when planning my exit to get to this point.

Trust me on that.

But I am proud of myself for being here in this moment.

I come from a long line of stubborn.

They are proud of me as well.

“It dawns on you one day… how precious your life is and how not okay it is for anyone, ever, to cause you any amount of suffering, ever. Then the next time you step out the door you look at everyone and you’re thinking, “My life is precious and you’re not allowed to hurt me.”

― C. JoyBell C.

I no longer worry about things I cannot control, including other people.

I strive to live in peace.

I am grateful for little things.

I am authentic and live my truth.

I will never kiss anyone’s ass

I treat others as I wish to be treated

unless they piss me off, then there’s no telling what will happen.

Not really true – usually I will swear silently, (or not so silently) then walk away forever, because I will no longer tolerate being treated in a manner that is less than I deserve.

I accept people as they are and decide if their truth can live with mine. ― You can quote me on that.

“Being nice is the worst thing a woman can be. Nice means you have to swallow your own feelings and focus on everyone else’s. Nice means you don’t speak up when you’re wronged. Nice means being a people pleaser and a conciliator and worrying yourself to death over others’ opinions. Nice means never getting what you really want…. Authentic. Genuine. Live your truth. Let others live theirs. Don’t kiss anyone’s ass, but don’t be an asshole, either.”

― J.T. Geissinger, Melt for You

I am me. Unapologetically.

The truest form of loving oneself.

XO Lisa ❤️ living a gratitude filled life!