Happy Birthday Mom

I am the way I am today because of how I was raised. From as long back as I can remember my parents have always been there to support me in all of my endeavours. And trust me, that wasn't easy since I've always been interested in so many things. Regardless, they were always my biggest cheerleaders. I'll never be able to repay them or thank them enough for moulding me into the person I am.

One of the biggest things I remember from my childhood was my mother always pushing me to be me. Of course she always wanted what was best for me but she let me get there in my own way. I was 100% accepted as who I am and never told that I should fit a certain mould. I was free to fly as high as my mind could imagine. Never stifled and only scolded when I pushed in a destructive direction.

Being such a strong woman herself, Mom taught me to stand up for what I believe in (even if it meant standing up to her) and to do what I feel is right. She really lived/s the saying "Dance like no one is watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like no one is listening, Live like it's heaven on earth." and it is because of that that I have become the type of person that jumps in with both feet. I go for what I want with everything I have because Mom showed me what life can offer and always told me I could achieve anything I want to.

51 years ago one of the most influential people in my life was born. Through life's ups and downs she has stayed true to herself and has been an unreal inspiration to her two daughters. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be here today.

Mom, I love you so much. Words will never be able to express how much you mean to me. Thank you for teaching me to fly and for always being there when I've fallen. Happy Birthday <3 br="">

Happy Birthday to my Man

 Matthew,

About a year and a half ago we started to get to know each other. There was something mysterious that kept attracting me back to you. It took a while but you finally let me in and I couldn't have designed a better person if I tried. That Christmas I asked you to be my boyfriend because you are the best man I know.

Looking into our future I know we can handle anything that gets thrown our way because not only are we lovers and dedicated partners, but we are best friends. Today you turned 31 years young. I hope you had an amazing birthday and I can't wait to spend every future birthday with you for the rest of our lives.

Yours forever,

Christine

I Care What You Think

I had a long conversation recently with someone important in my life about health and fitness. At one point in the conversation they said to me "I don't care what you think of me." This statement has been somersaulting in my head ever sense because I care what they think of me. I care about what a lot of people think of me. Not everyone but certainly the people I hold dearest and respect the most.

Our society has drilled it into our heads that in order to be confident, we have to not care about what other people think of us. I think this is wrong. When we don't care about what other people think of us we can royally fuck up or do nothing or be lazy and use the excuse of "well I don't care what you think of me" to hide behind our actions/inactions.

(Photo Source: Wikipedia)

Real confidence is about believing in yourself and trusting your gut instincts. And I would like to argue that we can do that and still care about what people think of us. We don't have to do what everyone else wants us to do, or act how they want us to act. But we should care enough about the people in our lives that we care about their opinions and take them to heart. If someone in my life goes out of their way to point out that I might be doing something wrong or acting inappropriately, etc, don't I at least owe it to them to take into consideration what they are telling me? In the end it is my decision as to whether or not I continue to act a certain way or do a certain thing, but I at least owe it to that person to take what they are saying to heart and contemplate what they are trying to tell me. I owe that to them because they cared enough about me to bring it to my attention.

Caring about what others think of us is not an all or nothing game. Of course we shouldn't pay attention to bullies or people we don't respect. But to our family members, friends, partners, I believe we should let go of our pride and pay attention to what they are telling us. It might surprise you how much these people actually know about you, care about you, and can help you along your way if you care enough to let them.