Take A Breather!

We girls put so much stress on ourselves to always look our best and be as attractive as possible.  These are very good things to do; after all, we need to care about how we look.  But we don't necessarily have to take our appearance to such extremes every day.  I think we should all take at least one day a week and give ourselves some slack.

Pick a day and just tell yourself, "I love the way I am."  Each time a negative or critical thought comes in, just block it out.  Wear your most comfortable clothes, matching or unmatching and just take the day to relax and be you and do the things you love.  Bake your favorite cookies, or walk your favorite trail, or watch your favorite movie.  It doesn't matter as long as it's what you love to do.  Give makeup and earrings a rest and smile broadly every time you see your reflection.  Who knows?  You might find you prefer yourself to look that way :)

Remember, life isn't supposed to be centered around stress and drama.  It is possible to live a peaceful, happy life.  And most of that comes from trusting and believing in God.  If we can learn to sacrifice our wills, I mean REALLY sacrifice them, then God will begin to move in our lives and bless us with what we desire.

I just realized this: if I'm constantly asking God to do this for me, or go there, then I'm dictating how my life will be.  If I'm asking Him to make it possible for me and a certain boy to be together, He may do it for me, but it isn't His perfect will, it's only His permissive will.  And my stubbornness will most likely come back to bite me.

My goal is to daily die to myself, to pray, "not my will, but Thine be done, Lord."  It's not easy to mean that, but it is the most rewarding thing you'll do :)

Love,

Gracie

Be You!

Don't feel like you have to change who you are to fit into the "cool crowd".  If fitting in with them means changing who you really are, then it's not worth it.  Each of us has our own style, our own unique way of doing and saying things.  And it should never be changed.  Don't be afraid to express who you really are.  Because other people who aren't afraid to be themselves will be drawn to you, and the people who have stifled their own unique attributes will find themselves wishing they could be more like you.

When you embrace yourself for who you are, you automatically become a source of inspiration for others.  And remember, there's nobody like you to take your place, so if you don't express yourself, there will be a gap in the order of the universe :)

Love,

Gracie

Single

To all you loverly girls out there who have never had a boyfriend and are complexed about it, I am addressing you.  Just because you're in your teens and are still single doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with you.
And you know, how thin you are doesn't determine whether you'll get a guy or not.  The fact of the matter is, boys take a lot longer to mature than girls do.  And a vast amount of guys in their teens are still too immature to want a lasting, good relationship with a girl.  A lot of guys go for the skinny girls who will flirt and make fools of themselves because they're just looking for a good time and they want whatever the girl will give them.  They overlook the safe girl who wants something real and pure and lasting.  To be honest, "bad boys" don't feel comfortable around "good girls" because thy know good girls don't approve of them.  But they fail to realize what they're missing out on.  Good girls are the ones who will wait for a guy they know will treat them with respect and care.  A great way to judg a guy's character is by your parents.  If he respects your parents, their house, and their rules, you've got yourself a pretty good guy :).
But trust me, waiting for the right guy is so much better than dating every one that comes along or shows interest in you.  Lots of girls make that mistake and it always ends up in heartbreak and a scarred past.  Trust me, if you were to talk to girls who have been there they would tell you never to settle.  Don't take te first guy who like you just because you may feel desperate, like he's your only option.  He's not.  God has someone wonderful in mind for each of us, someone more wonderful than we can even imagine.  For all you period drama lovers out there, he will be like Mr. Darcy, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Knightly, and Mr. Ferrars all wrapped up in one!  And for all you more modern girls, he will be like Josh Hutcherson, Zac Efron, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Channing Tatum, and Garret Hedlund all in one!  Just keep the faith, and that special guy will come, probably when you least expect him!

Love,
Gracie

Harry Potter Theme - Incredible Piano Solo of Jarrod Radnich by ThePiano...

Okay, this blows me away!!!  He is officially one of my heroes!  Which by the way, I think heroes and people that we look up to are a very good thing.  God is my first and foremost hero :)  I hope you enjoy this at least half as much as I did! :)




Love,
Grace