J. Cole once said:

"No such thing as a life that's better than yours
(Love yourz)
No such thing as a life that's better than yours
No such thing, no such thing"

Let me start of by saying I felt a strong feeling to make this first post about self love (and J. Cole). Let me also start by saying this is also something I struggle with the most: Self love.

I've heard it said many times that happiness is not a destination, but a journey. I believe the same to be true about loving yourself.

Loving yourself is a constant battle. The battle is ever-present and is not going away anytime soon.The battle we have with ourselves and what the world tells us will fulfill us and make us happy; whole.

You cannot know true Love without knowing the source of it. I believe that God is Love.

Loving God and seeing yourself in the image he created you to be is what God originally intended.

I can tell you I didn't just wake up one morning and think "Wow I love everything about myself today I wouldn't change a thing!" ---It is a continual journey but I am closer today than I was yesterday. Throughout my journey of life these are some things I have adapted to get me through tough times.

The Five Truths I try my best to live by:

1. Focus on the positive more than the negative

I have a tendency to be very critical and negative towards myself. I forget that my worst critic is myself. I see myself at my absolute worst, and no one else does.

Making a conscious effort to focus on the things that go good vs. the ones that go bad. Change your whole outlook on the way you perceive things. Contrary to what I may think sometimes, the world is not against me.

Everyone is just trying the best they can. Be nice.

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Law of attraction, also referred to as New Thought, is defined by Wiki as :

"An idea that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts a person brings positive or negative experiences into their life. This belief is based upon the idea that people and their thoughts are both made from "pure energy", and the belief that like energy attracts like energy."

If I go to work thinking that it's going to be the worst day of my life, it very well could be the worst day because I would be so convinced it was going to suck.

I heard this quote once that said "Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% what you do with what happens to you." This quote has always stuck with me for some reason.

2. I am my very best friend

It is okay to put yourself first. It does not make you selfish, it makes you healthy. If you are constantly running to the aid of others, rather than your own, you'll never take time to realize how you actually feel. Take good care of yourself.

Google defines affirmation as: "..emotional support or encouragement.."

"You look great today." and "And you are going to kill that Pre-cal exam!" are positive affirmations. Your best friend wouldn't want to be around you much anymore if you always said negative things about her. Don't do it to yourself either.

Giving yourself positive compliments that focus on the things you Have rather than the things you don't sends out positive vibes to the universe. Praying is a very powerful thing. Ask God for the things you need and He will provide for you on His all-knowing time. Thinking the best for yourself and others makes the world a better place. Being a good person sends out cords of positivity that go out in the world and strike a cord with eternity.

3. I am OKAY where I am at.

I forget that I don't have to have my life figured out at age 19!

Living in the present is the most important job I have. It is also one of the most difficult.To live fully in the moment requires a person to constantly be fully invested in their environment and in conversations, verbal or nonverbal.

I am a college student and that is okay.

I am learning and it is a process that requires a lot of patience.

I do not have to do anything at this point in my life besides be. a. college. student.

4. I am created for a reason

I am going to make a difference in this world, it's my choice whether I want it to have a positive or negative impact.

Be a good person when no one is watching. Pick up trash on the sidewalk and don't tell anyone about it. Be nice and keep it to yourself.

I had an ethics teacher in college who taught about a theory that said:

Life is like a pond.

When you are born you are standing in the pond and you make indentions in the sand. As you stay in that pond you are affecting the way the current goes. You are losing dead skin cells in the water, more people are being added to the pond and taken away. Each time it affects the pond in some way however small or large.

When you die your feet leave the sandy pond floor but you have forever changed that pond just for you being there.

Do not ever think that you don't matter. You do.

5. I am the Creator's masterpiece

Who am I to insult someone's artwork? AKA God's artwork AKA me. I am made one of a kind! We are all made differently, but that doesn't mean we can't understand one another. Celebrate in differences and thank God everyone isn't exactly the same....because how boring would that be?

"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else." -Margaret Mead

So basically if you haven't heard Love Yourz, go listen to it. Life changing.

And if you haven't heard of J. Cole ... listen to Fire Squad or the Intro from Forrest Hills Drive.

Till next time. Peace

LB