Sometimes we have to take a step away from helping others and putting 100% of ourselves into loving and making others proud, that is when we can make ourselves proud. We only have this one life to live and it is really important to encourage yourself throughout your lifetime. Making sure that you are accomplishing what you want to do and moving towards your short-term and long-term goals is really important.
Something that I have learned throughout the 18 years, almost 19!!, that I have been alive is that friends come and go, the only constant is you. You are stuck with yourself for the rest of your life. Why beat yourself up and become your biggest enemy? Why tear yourself down after you made a small mistake? Why critique and compare yourself when you are perfectly and uniquely yourself! I am far from perfect, all my sisters and friends could tell you that... But I made a promise to myself a few months ago that I would start to love myself, no matter what. I would put time and effort into the things that I love and want in life. I would stop comparing myself to those that have more than I do because I have enough for myself.
Recognizing that you do not need certain things or people in your life can change your outlook on life completely. I know that once I start to treat myself kinder and love myself more, my friends will notice it and they will treat me differently. I know that sometimes people treat me badly or say certain things because they know I won't care, that I am have done and said worse to myself. But now, I won't let that happen. I will allow myself to feel beautiful and be confident because I am beautiful and I should be confident in myself. I am who I am because I want to be.
I encourage everyone to start making lists of anything that makes you feel happy and feel good about yourself. Then start to do more of that; doing more of what makes you happy makes you a better person! I know that sometimes we get stuck in sadness or just a boring everyday routine; we can easily get out of that with changing it up every now and then, give yourself "me time" every day and see how much better you feel. Even if you just sit and journal or read or anything that makes you happy, it'll change your perspective and ultimately make you a better person.
Once I found my home in Alpha Delta Pi, I found a house full of love, support, sisterhood, and inspiration. These beautiful women have amazing stories to tell and beautiful lessons to share. I could not be the person I am today without joining this sorority. The things I do through my chapter and with them make me so proud of myself, they encourage me to grow and become a beautiful woman. I cannot wait to see what else they have in store for me. My sorority has helped me grow and helped me see that it is a wonderful thing to love and feel confident in yourself.
Being yourself is the best gift you can give to the world.
