Have you ever loved someone so deeply that no matter what they do, you can’t stop loving them? Whether your spouse, kids, parents, siblings, etcetera, you forgive and forget… and forgive and forget… and forgive and forget. It becomes an ongoing cycle, all the while you’re suppressing how they’ve made you feel just to keep the relationship going. Unbeknownst to you, your heart is quietly building resentment, and you don’t realize it until finally, you can’t take anymore. Your smile covers the hurt so the world can’t see the pain.
A woman will internalize all the pain and carry it while keeping a smile on her face. That smile slowly fades, and then everyone asks, “What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you smile anymore?”
As you scroll through the photos on your phone, you realize it’s been years since you’ve had a big, beautiful smile on your face. They’re right, I don’t smile like I used to. You used to smile one time, take the picture, and that was it, because you were happy with your smile and the way you looked. As you continue looking through your photos, you notice that the smile fades more and more. Now, when you take a picture, you have to take 300 photos just to get one where the smile looks somewhat genuine.
Sis, it’s time for you to get that genuine smile back. The one that beams from within. There are so many women who lose themselves in order to love others, whether it’s their spouse, children, parents, or other loved ones. It is possible to love yourself and love others. What’s being revealed more and more is this truth: in order to love others, you must love yourself first.
That’s it. Love yourself first. That’s what this entire article is about. I challenge you to put yourself first, starting right now. Get dressed every day, even if you don’t have anywhere to go. Make sure your hair is done. Make sure your nails and feet are done. Put that makeup on if it makes you feel pretty. Put those heels on while you do the dishes.
We can’t change or control how others behave, but we can change and control how we react and feel. Take control of you and make a vow to yourself that you are first! I hope this article has opened your eyes and that you begin putting yourself first immediately, pouring into you first, in order to pour into others. Have an amazing day. And smile. 😊
This was written by our contributing writer, Ranice Harper.
Image Source: Freepik, senivpetro
Leave a Reply