June 21, 2013

A Letter To Myself


Joy,
People don't love you because of your garden, photographs, cooking, blog, cards, home, or workouts. They love you because of who you are inside. They appreciate your kindness, compassion, presence, and vulnerability. They love your heart, when it's full and when it's broken.

So it's okay to have weeds, receive no flickr comments, ruin a recipe, quiet your blog, send belated wishes, have dirt on your floors, or skip a workout. It's okay to take care of you as warmly as you take care of others. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to not always be happy. Just be you, as is. Lead with your heart. People love the real you. More importantly, I love the real you. Trust in that.

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Joy. Just like you. And so perfectly, honestly and poignantly stated. HUG back to you!

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  2. PS: I love that skirt for so many reasons. But first and foremost because it is an example of you embracing and accepting the "real" you.

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    1. Yes, I love that skirt, too! Love you, Steph.

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  3. Dear Joy,
    We do love the real you! And that skirt is very fun! And the blue bench is awesome. xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. It's so lovely to be on this journey with you (even if it's long-distance).

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. You're always welcome to share. (And I always love hearing from you.)

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  5. ... because you are you, a very beautiful you, a leading light and lady, a soulful woman and an inspiration for many people on this planet ... As you know, I admire you deeply for your authenticity.
    Your photography made us (me and my dearest) smile. He said: 'This could be a photo of yours' as these are exactly my favourite colours ...
    Wishing you a perfect imperfect Sunday and a lovely week lying ahead!

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    1. elke, thank you for this heartfelt, kind comment. i always love hearing from you.

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