You Are... Strong

“You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” –Marcus Aurelius

Strength is something that I’ve found many girls have a difficult time with. Strength seems to imply physical stature. This is true, but it goes so much further beyond how much a person can bench-press.

Strength is found in the things we overcome. Whether it be physical, like weightlifting, mentally, like taking harder classes in school, or spiritually, like healing a broken heart. Friedrich Nietzsche said, “That which does not kill you, makes you stronger.”

What Marcus Aurelius is trying to say is that strength doesn’t come in changing the situation around us, but in changing the way we view the situation. “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.”

My mom always told me that a name spoke something over someone. Well, my name, Brianna, means “strong” in Celtic. This name spoke strength, physically, mentally, and spiritually into my life from the first breath.  Even at times, when this name felt like a burden of responsibility, I found that my strength wasn’t something I had to prove, but something I had to share. My strength doesn’t come merely from knowing what my name means, but in using my understanding of what my name means in order to overcome the obstacles I face.

You are strong. You cannot change your circumstance; you can only triumph over it. Strength starts in your mind. So, believe it, then live it.

Feel Free to Quote Me.

You Are... Beautiful

 “There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a person being themselves. Imagine going through your day being unapologetically you.” –Steve Maraboli

As you may recall, yesterday I wrote about being unique. You may also remember that I mentioned that we are in our skin for a lifetime, and we may as well get used to it, or perhaps even love it. Being unique, and accepting the differences we have from others, is one of the first steps to seeing yourself as a beautiful person. Notice I said seeing yourself as beautiful, not having others see you as beautiful.

 Others will either see you as lovely, or they will criticize you; but, no matter what those people say or think, only we can make ourselves feel beautiful. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

This quote from Steve Maraboli is truly inspiring. All too often, we feel pressure to change who we are according to the people we’re around, or the situation we’re faced with, in the hope that others will see us as beautiful, smart, etc. But, beauty is found in our differences. When you no longer feel like you have to apologize for who you are, you take on a whole new form of beauty.

I’m going to make a reference to The Princess Diaries for the second time this week. This movie is brilliant and deserves as many references as I can make!  There’s a song in the movie that says, “What makes you different, makes you beautiful.” This is so, so very true. I’d rather be a first rate me, than a second rate someone else. Wouldn’t you?

My mom showed me this brilliant saying. I’m so blessed to have such a great mom who sees me as beautiful, even when I feel far from it.

Embrace your “youness!!!” Because, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Feel Free to Quote Me.

You Are... Unique

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” –Dr. Seuss

Right off the bat, I think you all should know that Dr. Seuss is my hero. And this quote is a perfect example of why. How is it, that in children’s literature, I seem to find the most inspiring and empowering ideas?

Who are you today? You. Do you look exactly like the person sitting next to you? No; and even if you do, like if you’re sitting by your identical twin, you still aren’t the exact same person as them.

I’m going to quote the great Dr. Seuss yet again. “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you!” And, why would we ever want it any other way?

When I was little, I used to picture what it would be like to be someone else. Who would I be? Where would I live? But, after the daydream, I was still just me, living my life. But, that’s not really a bad thing.

We’re in our skin for a life time; we might as well get used to it, and possibly even love it.

In a world where you can be anyone you want, why not be yourself?

You are unique!  Let’s take the opportunity to create ourselves the way we always wanted, in our own unique way.

Feel Free to Quote Me.

You Are... Capable

“If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” –Thomas Edison

Wow. That’s all I can seem to muster up after quoting Mr. Edison. This idea honestly empowers me so incredibly. When I read this line, I begin to realize that not only is Thomas saying that we are capable of innumerable feats, but he is also challenging us to perform them every day. And, he says it in such a way that I actually want to pick myself up and change the world!

But, there’s always that day when I go to school, feeling underprepared, exhausted, and completely unmotivated. I’m sure you all have those days too. It’s those days that make realizing our ability so far-fetched. But, I would like to challenge myself, and you all, especially on those days, to astound ourselves and at least attempt to reach our full potential and capability.

I also believe that we were created by capable hands. I believe that God is a capable God, and He gave us purpose, along with the ability to fulfill it.

Thomas Edison was right. We are capable of accomplishing countless triumphs. I for one would like to astound myself today, and do the things I am capable of. Will you join me? After all, you are capable.

Feel Free to Quote Me.

You Are... Important

“You saw me when I was invisible.” –Princess Mia

All too often, I get the feeling of invisibility. Why can’t my teachers say my name right? Did that guy just look at me, or past me? Does anyone truly listen to what I have to say? I get the feeling that most of you understand that feeling. I always think back to The Princess Diaries, where Mia believes she is completely invisible right until the end of the movie when she realizes that Michael was there for her all along.

Today, I just really want to encourage you that, even when you think no one is noticing you, someone out there is paying attention to you. I don’t mean that in a way to pressure you, but at the same time, the things you say and do are seen and heard by someone somewhere. Once you say something, the sound waves are in the atmosphere forever. However, this shouldn’t be considered a bad thing.

 Every day, you have the opportunity to influence and inspire the people around you. While you may feel unnoticed, or even inadequate, someone is noticing you and sees you as beyond adequate!!!

If you will recall, the past two days consisted of the words, “kind” and “smart”. Magicians usually don’t reveal their secrets, but I will just this once. The reason I started with these three words is to start you all off with an encouraging mantra to remember…

Someone sees you even when you feel invisible. Never forget that you are important.

Feel Free to Quote Me.

You Are... Smart.

 “Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” –Albert Einstein

The word “smart” can be defined as having or displaying quick-witted intelligence. While this is completely logical and I usually try not to argue with my dictionary, I have to agree with Einstein’s point of view. The dictionary is too broad for us to base the qualifications of a genius on.

See, what Einstein is pointing out is that genius is related to the gifts and talents each person is blessed with. For example, while Suzie-Sally might struggle in mastering the art of origami, she very well may be an up-and-coming modern day Picasso. But, if society judges her based solely on her origami skills, she will never “measure up” to Joe Bob who just so happens to be an origami prodigy.

Smart doesn’t have, nor does it need, a clear definition. What we must understand is that we can become our inner genius as long as we are willing to let go of the tree, and the judgment of other people around us, and take a swim.

Never forget that you are smart! Go find your forte, your passion, and become the genius you are destined to be!!!

As always, Feel Free to Quote Me.

You Are... Kind

“Kindness is just love with its work boots on.” –The House Bunny

I constantly hear people say that women are nurturers and lovers. I whole-heartedly agree with this. While men are also caring and loving, we girls just know how to make people feel better and love on others. This quote from The House Bunny honestly rolls everything kindness is into one short line.

If we love as we say we love, we should be willing and excited to help others.  Love without action can have no influence in anyone’s life.

Do you love? Then put your work boots on gals and be kind to one another! Because, you are kind.

And, remember, you can Feel Free to Quote Me.