SELF-ISH LOVE
Written By: Alycia Lumpkins
"You have to have love for you"
"Walk in your own truth."
"Love yourself."
As woman we hear these statements or variations of them constantly. But no one ever tells us how to do so. Coming from a woman that suffered from low self esteem it's not that easy. I will be the first to say they (these statements) mean nothing unless you apply them.
Here I am a 31 year old woman and I'm just now finding me and loving me. I have had to accept the fact that although I may be a friend to many not everyone is my friend. Many times before I would get close to "me" but nope someone (whether it be family or a friend) would come along and change my mind. I was easily swayed and didn't trust my own judgement. So of course I cared what others thought and even took their feelings into consideration even if that meant mine got hurt. Well I had to learn the hard way more than once that not everyone has your best interest at heart ,and the only way to be truly happy is to do what feels good to you.
Now again I'm 31 years old and I am doing my best to constantly remind me that hey..."I Matter" and I know what's best for me. I'm doing so unapologetically. So excuse me while I tilt my head back and strut my stuff. I'm done hiding myself and worrying what others think. I have said all to often that I can not help it that I sparkle in the sun.
I encourage each and everyone of you to work on you! Don't worry about the haters do you and do it the best way you know how. Be selfish for once!
"Walk in your own truth."
"Love yourself."
As woman we hear these statements or variations of them constantly. But no one ever tells us how to do so. Coming from a woman that suffered from low self esteem it's not that easy. I will be the first to say they (these statements) mean nothing unless you apply them.
Here I am a 31 year old woman and I'm just now finding me and loving me. I have had to accept the fact that although I may be a friend to many not everyone is my friend. Many times before I would get close to "me" but nope someone (whether it be family or a friend) would come along and change my mind. I was easily swayed and didn't trust my own judgement. So of course I cared what others thought and even took their feelings into consideration even if that meant mine got hurt. Well I had to learn the hard way more than once that not everyone has your best interest at heart ,and the only way to be truly happy is to do what feels good to you.
Now again I'm 31 years old and I am doing my best to constantly remind me that hey..."I Matter" and I know what's best for me. I'm doing so unapologetically. So excuse me while I tilt my head back and strut my stuff. I'm done hiding myself and worrying what others think. I have said all to often that I can not help it that I sparkle in the sun.
I encourage each and everyone of you to work on you! Don't worry about the haters do you and do it the best way you know how. Be selfish for once!
How I Met The Author
Alycia "Lish" Lumpkins is another one of my beautiful cousins that I was lucky to inherit through marriage. We met about 10 years ago when Marcus and I started dating. From the very second she was introduced to me, she treated me like I was part of the family...not knowing if I would make the cut or not... LOL!!! Besides the fact that she is absolutely gorgeous, the words that always come to mind when I think of Lish are "Real" and "Genuine". In a world filled with carbon copies and phony people, I can always trust that she will keep it 100; even if her decision or statement is not popular she will remain true. Not only will she remain true to herself, she will also be true to you. She is an awesome sister, daughter, friend, wife and ofcourse mother. The new trend is for women to go natural and be original... I guess Lish already had this figured out and we are just catching on.
Alycia "Lish" Lumpkins is another one of my beautiful cousins that I was lucky to inherit through marriage. We met about 10 years ago when Marcus and I started dating. From the very second she was introduced to me, she treated me like I was part of the family...not knowing if I would make the cut or not... LOL!!! Besides the fact that she is absolutely gorgeous, the words that always come to mind when I think of Lish are "Real" and "Genuine". In a world filled with carbon copies and phony people, I can always trust that she will keep it 100; even if her decision or statement is not popular she will remain true. Not only will she remain true to herself, she will also be true to you. She is an awesome sister, daughter, friend, wife and ofcourse mother. The new trend is for women to go natural and be original... I guess Lish already had this figured out and we are just catching on.