Don’t compare yourself to others. You are you. No one could come close to being you, even if they tried. How you treat people is a reflection of who you are, not a reflection of who they are. It’s about the love you give, not the love you get. Being a true friend means caring about someone enough not to give up on them—even if they’ve given up on themselves. The best cure for a bad day is a good friend. Fortify yourself with a flock of friends; there will always be at least one who understands, inspires, and lifts you when you need it most.
You are not here just to fill space or to be a background character in someone else’s movie. Nothing would be the same if you did not exist. Every place you’ve ever been and every person you’ve ever spoken to would be different without you. We are all connected, and we are all affected by each other’s decisions—and even by each other’s existence.
The most important thing you can wear is your smile. That, along with a sparkle in your eye, is the most powerful thing you can “say” to every person you meet. When you declare that a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in God’s face. Tears are the truest connection we have with one another, and trust is the truest connection we have with God. Remember, the struggle you face today is building the strength you’ll need for tomorrow. If you’re discouraged by your progress, remind yourself: “It just hasn’t happened yet.” That little word “yet” holds so much hope. Faith makes all things possible. H.O.P.E. – Hold On, Pain Ends. Hope makes all things work, and love makes all things beautiful.
Stress convinces us that everything needs to happen right now. But faith reassures us that everything will happen in the right and perfect time—God’s time. If humanity is truly fashioned in the image of God, then nothing on earth is closer to God than a person. To be in the presence of even the lowest, most repulsive human being is to be nearer to God than when gazing into a starry sky or watching a beautiful sunset. The poorest man holds something the richest cannot buy.
Jackson Kiddard once said:
“Anything that annoys you is teaching you patience.
Anyone who abandons you is teaching you how to stand on your own.
Anything that angers you is teaching you forgiveness and compassion.
Anything that has power over you is teaching you how to reclaim your power.
Anything you hate is teaching you unconditional love.
Anything you fear is teaching you the courage to overcome it.
Anything you can’t control is teaching you how to let go.”
Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul. There’s not enough darkness in the world to extinguish the light of even a small candle. Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud. Your light is seen, and your heart is known. More people than you can imagine cherish you. If you knew how many people you’ve touched in wonderful ways, you would be astonished. If you knew how many feel so deeply for you, you would be amazed.
You are far more wonderful than you think. Rest easy. You’re doing great. Relax—and love yourself.
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