Category: Self esteem

Today and Again

Do you ever have to slow down and find your center? It can take time to remember who you are and for what you are meant. We so easily get lost in chasing the things we need and want and plowing our souls under the toil. Stillness helps us see our persons; music can raise us; reading can picture us; art can show us reason; writing can free us.

We deserve to live creatively and with such love that we feel we can accomplish our hopes and dreams. Some find inspiration in a relationship with Christ Jesus; some follow other paths. As we meet in lives so often hectic, we need to share love and kindness no matter the circumstances in which we exist. Our differences make the world fascinating and rich. We learn much when we open ourselves to one another.

Stepping out of space and time to give ourselves peace to clarify our goals is worthwhile. Sometimes this is done in silence, some creation, some before the eyes of the world. Whatever our method, we must never give up. We are the outworking of the prayers of generations; our promise and purpose must continue.

Today is the moment we grasp; it is our time to build within. Letting it slip through our fingers is not an option—love, love, love. We should be a blessing in whatever places life carries us. Time and again, we can begin a better beginning, for we are living gifts.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan.

BE…

Be the sun that shines,
The star that guides,
The heart that beats,
The focus that leads,
The example that feels,
The hand that reaches,
The soul that believes,
The one that lifts the fallen,
The mind that searches,
The question finding answers,
The brave that continues,
The failure that succeeds,
The intelligence in darkness,
The person for all people,
The hallelujah and amen,
The strength to begin again,
The one that helps overcome,
The ears that diligently listen,
The scholar that teaches,
The hands that build,
The one who can forgive,
The charitable to the needy,
The good that will not stop,
The music that mends minds,
The words that need speaking,
But most of all be
The LOVE that lights
Every corner of existence
And assists humanity.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Best Friends

When we are faced
With challenges which move us
Beyond our limits
There is a recognition
We must befriend ourselves to
Accomplish our purposes.
Sometimes this is hard,
Knowing who we are, being
Aware of all faults,
It is a difficult thing
To process but must be done.
We can accept each
Part of our being with care
And find ourselves fair
In aspect and humor by
Finding good things in
Our character, bodies, thoughts,
Giving credit for accomplishments,
Deeds done, tasks completed in
Those times when we went
Over and beyond, each of us
Is precious, worthy, valuable.
It is something to reflect upon
When we doubt, or there seems
Nothing we can do; within everyone
There are strength and ability
To be brought forth in trials,
Never Give Up, Believe In Yourself.
Overcoming is often only
A matter of patience and persistence,
We are resilient,t and we will make
The world a better place
One loving action at a time.
Becoming one of our best friends
Is a gift we should grant ourselves.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

What Good’s In You?

The Journal Writing prompt today is: Make a list of 20 things you like about yourself.

Believe it or not, this is going to be a difficult assignment. The thing is, according to my mood, I can tolerate myself or hate myself. The tendency toward antipathy is strong.

Here goes:

  1.  I am creative.
  2.  I love deeply and extravagantly.
  3.  The son I raised is an outstanding success.
  4.  I am a writer.
  5.  I am an artist (perhaps not a very good one, but I have some gifts).
  6.  I choose never to stop learning.
  7.  I want to be like Jesus.
  8.  I made my Mom’s final years bearable and kept her at home.
  9.  I do not allow Schizo-Affective Disorder to defeat me, though sometimes it is touch and go.
  10. I have excellent taste.
  11. Animals love me.
  12. Children love me. (Ah, geez, I am running out of things to say. Whatever else?)
  13. I am generous.
  14. I sing.
  15. I work with technology despite the fact I never got the hang of typing very well.
  16. I am an early-adopter.
  17. I am capable of teaching things I know.
  18. I have empathy.
  19. I have overcome most of my worst habits.
  20. I have a wide variety of friends.

Bonus: I am still here, even though I fight suicidal ideation more than I like.

Okay, I did it. Can you? Can you step out of the negatives that often besiege us, and count yourself a blessing? I suggest you do it. It might brighten your day. Appreciate yourself. 

The Bible says we should love others as ourselves. It implies the prerequisite that we love who we are to love others better.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

When… We must…

When weak, we must be strong,
When exhausted, we must find energy,
When depressed, we must smile,
When hurt, we must be pleasant,
When broken, we must mend,
When unwanted, we must self-soothe,
When bullied, we must believe ourselves,
When challenged, we must excel,
When blocked, we must create,
When empty, we must become full,
When tortured, we must go on,
When afraid, we must stand,
When doubting, we must trust,
When love hurts, we must embrace it,
When at an end, we must begin again.

We must continue at all costs;
For we are overcomers,
More than conquerors,
Because we belong to God.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

2020.07.03 Flower Among Stones rr