When the winds blow, have faith and give thanks

Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees; The further sky, the greater length; The more the storm, the more the strength. ~ Douglas Malloch 

When strong winds swirl around you, causing you to lose your footing, what do you do? 

It's a proven fact that when trees are saplings, the stronger the winds, the stronger the tree grows. It plunges its roots further in the soil providing an impenetrable foundation. 

It's the same way with people. Those who face brutal storms early in life are more likely to bounce back quicker than those who have escaped any kind of adversity. 

So the next time the winds blow, have faith and give thanks. It's nothing more than strength training for your life. Plunge your roots deep in the soil and hang on. The sun is soon to come out. 

MRS N 

Scars are beautiful... by @NNP_W_Light

I think scars are like battle wounds - beautiful, in a way. They show what you've been through and how strong you are for coming out of it. ~ Demi Lovato

Do you love your scars or do you hide them in shame?

I love this quote by Demi Lovato because it brings a new perspective to scars. We all have scars, some visible while others are invisible. Whether we like them or not, they are a part of us.

I saw a friend of mine on Twitter last night and he was talking about his scars. He hates them, wishes they weren't there. He's ashamed because it reminds him of a dark, destructive time in his life. His comments broke my heart a little and I wanted to give him a hug. It also got me thinking of my own scars.

Twenty years ago, I went through a very dark time. I hated my life and I felt so out of control. I put my body through hell and have the scars to prove it. Do I look at them now and cringe? Sure. Do I feel shame? No. They're my battle scars. I was in the pit of despair back then and every time I see my scars, I'm reminded of how far I've come. I'm reminded of the strength I had to not end it all and to deal with the pain, one small step at a time.

Take my advice and love your scars. Your physical, emotional and mental scars are badges of courage and they only add to your beauty. Love them and let them become a part of who you are. 

MRS N

Answer this very important question @NNP_W_Light

When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to… today”.

Everyone has a purpose.  I have a purpose.  You have a purpose.  The person down the street has a purpose.

Read the quote above and complete the statement:

My purpose is to...

Don't know how to answer it?  Here are a few suggestions:

-spread the Light

-love unconditionally

-be kind

-encourage others

-pray for the world

-volunteer somewhere

-donate food, clothing, time to a local food bank/pantry

-smile brightly

-write a book

-start a blog

-start an online petition about a cause you believe in

No matter what your purpose is, get going.

Mrs. N

Let love in by @NNP_W_Light #love

Let someone love you just the way you are – as flawed as you might be, as unattractive as you sometimes feel, and as unaccomplished as you think you are. To believe that you must hide all the parts of you that are broken, out of fear that someone else is incapable of loving what is less than perfect, is to believe that sunlight is incapable of entering a broken window and illuminating a dark room. – Mark Hack

Have you been afraid to show someone the "real" you? Have you been hiding your warts for fear of rejection?

Read the quote above.

Now read it again s-l-o-w-l-y.

I used to believe I couldn't show anyone my "dark" side. I was deathly afraid they would laugh at me and leave me. It wasn't until I met MR N that I realized I was doing myself a disservice. My dark side was a part of me and if people couldn't accept it, too bad.

Have you had the same thought?

Newsflash: No one is perfect. Everyone is broken/scarred in some way.

Let people see you for who you are. It's only when you love all the parts of yourself can you let someone else love you.

You are a beautiful person and I love you. Thank you for being you, warts and all.

MRS N

Advice to your younger self @NNP_W_Light

What three things would you tell your five year-old self?

#5yearoldselfie was trending on Twitter yesterday and while scrolling through some of the answers, a image of myself at that age flitted across my mind. I was a shy five year old, with my nose in a book.

I've learned so much about life, love and myself over the past four decades. What would I tell my five year-old self?

1. You are beautiful. You are beautiful, inside and out. Never forget that and don't let anyone tell you differently.

2. Shoot for the moon. Your dreams are attainable and you'll never believe what you'll achieve forty years from now.

3. Love with all your heart. I know you've been hurt by others but don't let your heartbreak prevent you from loving others. Love will heal past hurts and will give you the strength to accept the greatest love of all: unconditional love.

What would you tell your five year-old self? 

Take some time to mull it over. I think you'll be surprised by your own advice. In fact, you might even take your own advice and make your current self a better person.

MRS N