Just a regular old day - Jowaje Philosophy

i saw a girl today.
She was younger than me.
And man, She's had some rain in Her life.
Her body is failing.
Her soul was tortured.
And She wasn't there for either one.

i had to sit back and say, "vee, you've been Blessed."

i walked outside in the Rain tonight.
it was by choice.
it was cold, dark, the trees above me, and the cold drops falling randomly over me
and everything else.

and every once in a while a sheet of lightning would echo out around me.
i thought of the Ancestors and felt just a small part of what They felt.
and even thought of a Homeless Man I'd seen not long ago.
just a tiny, very tiny glimpse into just a regular old day for Them.

and i had to sit back and say, "vee, you've been Blessed."

i feel so small. the things i thought i wanted in life seem so trivial right now.

so small, and to some they truly are and may always be.

and perhaps tomorrow, for me they will be big again.

but it took a couple of random things for me to stop and sit back
and remember to feel the good that is in my life right now; today.

to revel in my happiness and joy and peace.
i could be anybody else, any one of the people who has had it harder than me.

but i'm me.
and i'm Thankful for my Regular Old Days.

so i want to say...Today was one of 'em.
Thank You.

then i said goodnight to my Son.
we had a real good day today.
we did a little dreaming. and a little talking.
He's going to have surgery in the morning.

And all I can say is, "Lord please bless

and watch over Him as You've done for me."

Just Gotta Have a Man! - A Spoken Word piece, by Vee

...So Speak it With Rhythm;-)

Girl,

Why you always acting like you just gotta have a man?!!!

What is it about you that says alone you can't stand?
I mean,

don't get me wrong...

Right now I'm single too and sometimes I feel a little lonely,

But I know I loooove me some me.

And when I find that special one,

I'll make him my one and only.

But until then,

I refuse to run behind,

someone not even worth my time,

tryin' to use me or take what's mine,

and think it's his God-given right

...just cause God made him fine.

Believe me, what I have is awesome,

and definitely worth preserving.

Not to be given away so easily

to someone so undeserving.

So whatcha think 'bout what you got?

Is it worth a dozen roses, or a single forget-me-not?

And tell me, what values are you really teaching your daughter?

You're not taking care of yourself and your house ain't in order.

She's learning from you

and at the same time raising herself

And you want to know what HER problem is?

H#!!

Ok, so why is it okay

that he hit you last night?

Eye still black. Lip "swole" up!

But I guess that's just alright,

huh?

Why is it okay

that you're alone this holiday,

while your man is having the time of his life

celebrating at home with his kids and...his wife?

Why is it okay

for him to hurt your kids and treat them bad?

And you wondering why they're making bad grades in school

and always looking sad.

whew!

And last, but not least...

Why is it okay

for him to talk to you like a child?

For him to belittle you and call you names

and wonder why you don't smile.

humh!

But you should be smiling

and you could be smiling!

Drop that &^(%##!!,

pick up the phone and start dialing...

Your loved ones, your friends,

the ones you trust to be there thru thick & thin.

You want a new life?

You want to be happy?

Then this is where you must begin.

Think support system, think sympathetic ears.

Who will listen and won't laugh at my tears?

Who will allow me to speak it out loud and release my fears?

And please take some time between this one and the next.

Every guy I hear you mention, you're calling him your ex.

Spend some time with you just getting to know yourself.

You've got to be confident and comfortable in your own shell.

Find a hobby.

Do you even know what it is you like to do?

Oh, I get it.

It's been so long that you've forgotten what pleases you.

Ok, so join a book club.

Take down a book from the ole dusty shelf.

Get back to loving your kids,

and honey get back to loving yourself!

Occupy your mind.

Fill your thoughts with sunshine.

Invite your kids to share with you their hopes and dreams,

and how they spend their time.

Plant a flower garden.

Dig in the soil and the dirt.

You know there are many hidden treasures

here on God's green earth.

Find someone or something else to give life and light to

besides that guy who so "thoughtfully" hurt you.

Drop them bags like Erykah told you to.

Be true to yourself and simply do you.

But forgive him

and all his deeds just the same,

So you can take back your power and

reclaim your true name.

QUEEN!

Stop being his victim of shame.

And don't forget, exercise is always good,

especially if you'd like to shed a few pounds.

Try Yoga classes to relieve the stress.

You'll start to have more ups than downs.

Now,

You've worked on your mental

and you've worked on your physical,

so complete your circle, sis,

and work on your spiritual.

Before you know it,

you'll feel like a different person.

Oh, you'll still be you,

but just a better version.

Then...

You'll be ready for a partner.

Not just a man or any man,

but someone you can actually start to:

Share your dreams with,

watch TV and laugh with,

comfort and make love to,

or simply relax and chill with.

Let down your guard and cry on,

someone you can depend on

to see you through the tough times

or guide you through a storm.

And sweetie,

the men you will then attract

will make them sorry Kats look so slack.

Cause they will be kind, and gentle, and sweet.

And you won't have to ask them to watch your back.

So what about me?

I know so much, where's my guy?

Well I'm truly not a hypocrite,

so I will not lie.

Right now I'm still working on me.

Trying to be the best me I can be.

Not yet done with my metamorphosis,

But he should be along shortly is my guess;-)

So again I ask you...

Girl,
Why you always acting like you just gotta have a man?
What is it about yourself that you just can't stand?
I mean,
don't get me wrong...
Right now I'm single and sometimes feel a a wee bit lonely,
But I know I looooove me some VEE.
And when I find that special one,
I'll make him my one and only.

How's that for some Jowaje Philosophy?

Peace,

love,

Light,

& Self Respect My Beautiful Sisters,

Vee

Just the way it is sometimes...

I feel like today I took a very important test.
But guess what?
I passed with flying colors!

I went to the supermarket to get a few things. And we all know how it is when we get to a crowded parking lot, but see the person in the very best park, loading their bags so they can leave. I wanted that park. Don't really know why. Just did.

So why is it that when people know you're waiting on their park, they automatically get slower at getting outta the way? I never do this, by the way. If anything, I move faster. But anyway, the lady was looking through her bags and fumbling with things as if she were surprised by what she saw.

Well my patience has gotten a lot longer these days, so instead of getting mad or frustrated, I happily waited. But just 'cause I decided I had time to wait doesn't mean the people behind me felt like they had time to wait. The truck directly behind me started blowing at me to move. Cars were backing up behind him and people were getting frustrated.

Now mind you, they were getting frustrated at me, not this woman, who in my opinion, was trying to do all she could to stall and make things worse for all of us. I was tickled though. I was in no way planning on moving and letting that "great" park go to someone else who was just lucky enough to get there after the woman decided she'd checked, and rechecked, and triple checked her grocery bags enough, and was secure that everything was still there since her short trip from the register.

Well after the white guys - and I'm not being racist, just want to paint the whole picture - started yelling and cursing at me and calling me a guy (I recently shaved my head, didn't have on any make-up or earrings - so this part was really not intended to insult), the lady then decided to hurry up and move. But I was impressed by the fact that I wasn't upset in the least. I wasn't offended. My feelings weren't hurt. I didn't feel the need to yell or curse back. I was still just tickled....
cause nobody was mad at her!

Then both guys got out of the truck to ask me to move. The guy from the passenger side, who was clearly very intoxicated at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, commenced to letting me "have it!" The driver said, "Sir, can you please move so we can get by?" LOL for goodness sake!

I said, "Well first of all, I'm a lady. And yeah, I'm getting ready to move right now."
Anyway, he moved, she backed up and left, and I parked. Meanwhile the passenger from the truck behind me continued to call me names, trying to insult me.

Guess what? I wasn't moved by it. I got out of my car and was chuckling to myself as they drove by and once again the passenger, who clearly had the biggest problem with me, had the driver to stop the car. He got out with his drunk, staggering, word-slurring self and asked me if I thought it was funny. Now he was holding up traffic. I calmly told him, "I think you're funny."
He then said to me, "Well I think you're a fu*#ing idiot!"
And to that I said, "And I think you're funny," smiled and continued into the store.

Another question...
And why does the passenger always have to most to say?
Then again, I guess it could have been worse.
He could have been the driver! :-O

You know, I said all that to say this:
If certain people had been around, or in the car with me at the time (and I'm so glad I was alone), this could have blown up to be such a big thing. Something bigger and much "badder" than anyone could have imagined. Someone could have gotten hurt even. And all for the sake of a park and a little impatience. It never dawned on anyone in the truck behind me that maybe I "NEEDED" a park that was close.
I didn't, mind you.
I was just being lazy, but still...

Then it dawned on me that maybe that lady couldn't move any faster and was really not trying to be ugly either. So I was actually doing the same thing the people behind me were doing - making assumptions! It's just that we handled it differently.
So I passed only the action/reaction part of the test - not the humility part.

When I returned to my car and was about to back out, there was an older, white couple directly behind me. I got out to see what was wrong and he was holding on to the shopping cart for dear life. He couldn't move his feet. He had Parkinson's and his wife said he was getting worse and worse, and she was going to have to stop bringing him to the grocery store with her. He was such a sweet, old gentleman. I asked if I could help get him to their car, and she seemed a bit apprehensive at first. I assured her I was a nurse and knew what I was doing. He was apprehensive only because he was afraid he was going to fall. But they agreed to let me help and I got him to his car uneventfully. Matter of fact, we actually rallied support from other passersby. All had worked out well. I felt good and redeemed, feeling that I'd been given another chance - a make-up test, so to speak -to do something kind for someone else as a way to make up for being such an accidental instigator earlier.

On my way out of the parking lot I thought how the dynamics would have changed for that earlier event had this been the reason for me waiting on the park. Or... if the same truck with the now infamous passenger had just been pulling up while I was helping this elderly couple, how differently might things have turned out? That same guy, the passenger, who was clearly inebriated and "so thoughful" of me, may have actually been more inclined to get out and help, rather than to get out to try to hurt.
Maybe he wouldn't have then been in such a rush.

So I was left with these questions:

Why are we always in such a hurry?
Why do we only give assistance to those who are clearly in need?
Why don't we treat everyone the same?
-And by doing so, we would never, ever leave out the people with the hidden disabilities or hidden problems.

WE NEED TO LOVE AND RESPECT EACH OTHER ALL DAY, EVERYDAY PEOPLE!
EVERYBODY!
ALL DAY!
EVERYDAY!

--Now that's some Jowaje Philosophy for ya,
and that's what's up. For real.

Peace, Love, & Light y'all !

Vee

I Need This Day!

I'm not answering the phone today.
I will not answer the door.
I need this day to myself.
So tomorrow I can soar.

I want to reminisce on 2007.

Sort through the lessons and file them on the shelf.
I want to meditate and recreate.
I want to reconnect with my inner-self .

I need healing energy for the coming new year,
to energize and renew my body, my mind, and my spirit.
No one else's woe can help me today,
Cause when I hear, I have to live it.

And I don't mind, not usually.
Hey, you got a problem, you can use me.
But not today, cause today's my day.
My baby's upstairs,
Zion and Sampson are around,
And my Mighty Master's beside me.

He needs this time alone with me
to work on me and mine.
I am a recluse for just this day,
But tomorrow I will shine.

And once I'm brightly shining,
I'll have so many rays to share.
So please, let me be for just...this...day,

and tomorrow I'll be there.

Peace, Love, & Light,
Vee

-original poem written by Vee May 3, 2003
-edited today!
-current mood - Reflective

-listening to:

India Arie's Private Party...........

Couldn't Sleep...

Couldn't Sleep... written on 10/02/02 @ 0625

As I lay my head sideways upon his chest,
nestled safely in the warmth and strength of his bosom,
salty tears snake across my face
-slithering, burning, searing my sensitive flesh.

I sob, I dab, I wipe.
My finger, the pillow case, the sheets.
But my muffled sniffling is in vain!
I don't want him to know I'm crying.
Oh but he does know.

He sees the dark cloud encircling me even in this darkness.
He senses my sorrow in the air.
He saw me pray.
He feels it in the nonrhythmic rhythm of my breathing
-and the uncontrolled twitching of my body.
Thought I was being quiet,
yet he hears me even in this silence.

He holds me, caresses me.
Not exactly sure what to do,
but instinctively does what I need him to.

He holds me, squeezes me, caresses me
'til my breathing once again matches his.
Never once uttering a word.
Never once searching for the tears,
he gave me peace, reassurance, and serenity.
He gave me him.
He gave me love!

Job well done,
he rolls over but continues to give reassuring pats.
He lays his leg next to mine, touching
'til he slumbers off to sleep.

I need to write this down!
If I get up will I wake him?

I'm thinking about you Momma,
remembering this night three years ago.
Remembering my thoughts, my feelings, your words, your face, your eyes.
Watching you. So strong.
Praying for you to softly slumber off to sleep,
but secretly wishing you could stay with me.

Momma I love you,

But maybe now I can fall asleep too.

A poem: The Tree of Life with roots and hidden fruit

Definitely a piece of art that can stand alone.
I started to post it simply for you to use your imagination and come up with your own story, or poem, or epiphany! But then it wouldn't fit into a blog, now would it?


Eerily romantic, and hauntingly captivating, I call this piece The Tree of Life with roots and hidden fruit.  Wonder what the artist calls it. 


It is so...so...
thought provoking.
Emotion evoking.

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

A soft kiss
A warm, but strong embrace
Bodies - still, silent movie
No name, no face.

It's no one
It's everyone
It's love and life
and Divine union

Barbaric, yet gentle
Naked, but unobtrusive
The secrets to life
So simple it's Elusive

With time, will the colors eventually turn green and blue, with hues of orange, brown?
Will there be water and stars and leaves to blow in the wind and fall down?
Will there one day be birds singing and animals playing and running around?
Or will the picture always be sepia-toned with the same message playing out loud
...feel me, see me.
What do you think of when you look at me?

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

Barren surroundings,
yet the tree brings forth life.
But where did he come from?
From the earth or from the sky?
Did he drop down from their loins
and travel through the root cave to the light.
Or did he simply fall from a branch,
you know the one with hidden fruit and remains out of sight?

Sensual and mysterious,
It makes me curious...
Will the babe grow up,
wrap his arms about his parents making the tree ever so much stronger?
Or will he simply crawl away, find a mate,
and plant his roots even longer?

It's vintage with a hint of new age.
The sky is the limit,
the whole world their stage.

Dark and ambiguous,
It makes me curious...
How tall are the branches?
How far do they extend?
How deep are the roots?
Freeze frame deception
-so what did the artist intend?

It's sexual and erotic,
enchanting and exotic.
Profound, and yes to some profane.
But what anyway is in a name?
As Shakespeare so eloquently put it,
titled by any name, it's still the same...

True Art!

PS.   And if you're reading this and know the artist's name, please let me know. 

Will I ever find love like that again?

A real, unconditional, sustaining, nurturing, no holds barred kind of love. The kind of love that you feel when you look at someone so imperfect, but see only perfection. The kind of love that can't be bought or sold. The kind of love that has truly stood the tests of time and fear, and passed. The kind of love that has weathered every storm and was stronger for it...

This is the kind of love I received from my parents. After my mom passed a few years back, my dad was still there to pour it all over me everyday. But with my dad's passing recently, I couldn't help but cry, and one of the reasons was because I knew I'd never have this type of love again.

The other day I was thinking about it. I was thinking about him, and I began to cry more tears. I thought about how overly protective he was, and how he worried about me "too much." I thought about how he was my biggest fan and has supported everything I've ever done. I thought about how he was the best coach and counselor in the world. I thought about how wise and humble he was. I thought about his quiet inner-strength. And I missed him so much.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself. But right at the point of total dispair, I could see my wonderful, lovely baby boy in my mind's eye. My dad had poured all of himself into my son before he moved on. And he did so with purpose, so that there would be enough of him left here to sustain me. He knew me so well.

So that real, unconditional, sustaining, nurturing, no holds barred kind of love... well I never lost it at all. My son looks at me just the way my dad did. He loves me the same way my dad did. He inspires me the same way my dad did. And he thinks I can do anything.

The tears dried up so quickly that I almost forgot they had ever been there. I smiled and I wondered how I'd even questioned finding this kind of love again when it had been right there staring at me all the time.

Jowaje Philosophy - The sharpness of mine tongue hath been dulled by the rock of wisdom

Everyday an individual is given life tests. The key to growth is first realizing that life itself is a test. And then you must recognize that even the smallest of things may be a new test in and of itself. Humility, one of the hardest things to acquire and possess, is one of the most vital characteristics a person needs to personify in order to achieve true personal and spiritual growth.

In the past, I've had a pretty quick temper. I've never been the one to intentionally hurt anyone, but I've always pretty much believed in defending myself and my feelings, if only with words. Yes, I was a gladiator of words when truly provoked. An eye for an eye...a tooth for a tooth is never okay, but it certainly does feel good doesn't it? But only superficially. With spiritual maturity comes the realization that these things are totally counter productive to growth and happiness.

So I've come up with another Jowaje philosophy:
The only way to get to the next level in life is through true surrender. You must surrender yourself to your ego and pride. You must surrender yourself to others. Now believe me, this is no easy task, but once you have mastered it, the rewards come. The blessings come. The elevation comes. The enlightenment comes. And when you're no longer a servant to your ego, when you're no longer prideful, the fruit of your labor will manifest itself. "The sharpness of mine tongue hath been dulled by the rock of wisdom." - Vee Jefferson

And I welcome this change. No longer having to take another's power to feel strong and powerful, I am empowered. Empowered to love even those who do not love me. Empowered to feel sympathy and empathy for my brothers and sisters. Empowered to be untouched by what others think. Empowered to feel joy in the midst of sorrow. Empowered with overstanding.

I am free! And I'm free to be me, because that's all I have to be.
I am growing. I'm learning. And I am becoming worthy of the blessings and abundance that life has awaiting me.

Hmm...:-)

Vee Jefferson

Seeing my Dad for the Last Time...

I found my dad in his bathroom slumped over the sink. He wasn't breathing. I called 911 and then I dragged him out into the living room and started CPR. By the time the paramedics got there, he had vital signs and his sats were good.

When I arrived at the hospital, I knew he wasn't going to make it. I knew it had been a neurological event; one pupil was pin point, the other dilated (sign of increased intracranial pressure). So he was brain dead. They feared he was, but not officially charted as so by the doctors. You know, of course they've got to run all the tests first.

The hospital he was taken to is the hospital where I work. They were kind enough to try to keep everything going (fluid, meds) even though I'd made him a DNR. It does more for the family if they can actually touch a warm hand, and I had three brothers who had to make it to town from far away.

After it was official and my brothers had made it there, we had the staff to turn off the ventilator and unhook him from everything. I knew he was no longer in his body, but still it was comforting to see him and feel his physical body. It took about 30-45 minutes for his heart to actually stop, although he wasn't breathing. Once his heart rate got to 30, my brother started to pray. When he finished, we looked up and there was no more heartbeat. We left almost immediately.

Outside, my brother's wife walked with me and he went to get their truck. I decided to walk to the street in front of the hospital to direct him so that he would not confusingly enter the exit-only drive way. While I was standing there I was leaning on a fire hydrant, shuffling around, not really paying much attention to anything. Seemed like it was taking forever. But then there appeared a man. I didn't see him appear, but he was just there.

He looked like my father, but not exactly. He had the same beard with gray just at the bottom on both sides, not in the middle. He was wearing the kind of hat my dad wears and the kind of over coat he used to wear when he felt like and cared about dressing up. He was missing some teeth, like my dad, and had some other similar features: height, demeanor, hair, and even some facial features.

He was walking very fast towards me, but with an agility that you don't find too much in a man who looked to be this gentleman's age. He carried an umbrella in one hand and a plastic, see-through case in the other. He smiled just a little, but didn't speak. I couldn't take my eyes off him, but what really got me was when he got ready to pass. He didn't stay on the course of the side walk. Instead, he walked slowly between me and the fire hydrant (only about a foot of space in between), and I actually had to move a little to let him get by. Gaze locked, he looked into my eyes all the while moving around me. I mean it would have been quite rude if not given the circumstances surrounding the whole event. At the time, I wasn't offended at all. Of course I was reminded of my father from the very first moment I saw him. But now that he was walking away, I wanted to speak to him and tell him about my dad. He was about 10ft away when I called to him the first time. He didn't turn around. I called to him about 10 more times, each time louder and louder until I was actually yelling. Never once did he turn around to look at me again. He was stepping so proudly, so easily, so briskly. Like he wanted me to see. Like he needed me to see. My dad would fall often and hadn't been able to walk well in years because of nerve damage in his right leg related to a long course of radiation to his right pelvis back in 1991 (He'd survived 2 rounds of Cancer and had been cancer free since then).

Anyway, I felt like I'd been given a rare opportunity to see my dad one last time. Or at least was open enough to see what was truly there. In my heart, I knew Dad was trying to let me know he was alright. We'd let his physical body go and he was off and running. As for the appearance, I figured that he looked enough like my dad to get my attention and get me ready for the experience, but not so much as to scare the you know what out of me.

I left feeling assured, blessed, happy, comforted...

Learning to love yourself - Building from ground zero!

I started writing columns focusing on health issues. After recently speaking with one of my Myspace friends, it dawned on me that before you can take care of your body, you have to truly love your body, and that means loving yourself. She'd written some blogs about some of the mistakes she's made in the past and present and wanted her friends to comment on them. Well of course I commented on the usual stuff about having self love and high self esteem. I was surprised by her next question. She admitted that she didn't know how to begin loving herself and simply asked, “How do I?” I was caught off guard by this. I was reminded once again that when you give advice - even friendly advice - you must be simplistic and exact in your responses. Thank you Lady Jo for this lesson. This article actually should have been the very first one ever written, but it's only after you've been inspired that you can truly write anything worth sharing. And so I replied:

Learning How to Love Yourself - Building from ground zero!

You are the architect - Draw up your own blue print

As a small child, it's easy and natural to love yourself, because children automatically expect unconditional love and acceptance. It's only after someone or something shows them the ugly side of life that they start doubting themselves and feeling insecure.

First of all, realize that everyone, and I mean absolutely EVERYONE, has done some things they wish they could go back and change. Secondly, know that no one is defined by the things they have done, but by the lessons they have learned and the wisdom they are willing to teach to others. Third, you are also not defined by the mistakes of others.

You must tear down to rebuild!

This is your journey alone. No one can make it for you, so do not let anyone else guide you off your path. Think about the things in your life you have done, regret, and have learned from. Think about them, analyze them, figure out the lessons in them and then forgive yourself for them. Then leave the guilt behind and take with you only the lessons. This is the crucial first step, because you must drop the heavy weights that are holding you down and coloring your view. Whether you need a shovel or a bull dozer, it can be done. It must be done. So drop 'em and let's go.

Rebuilding – the foundation and the framework

First, write down all the positive things about yourself that you can think of. Do not put down one negative thing! Cast those out of your head and try not to think of them during this exercise. You should have placed them in the exercise above. We're rebuilding now, so the negatives have got to go! So write down the positives, and read them every night before you take your bath and get ready for bed. Next, look at yourself in the mirror (in the nude), lights bright as they can be. See yourself in your purest essence and tell yourself, "I am beautiful. I am unique. I am imperfect perfection, just as I was intended to be." Find your flaws and get comfortable with them too. Look at them and say, "I love you too. You make me ME!"

Note: you can do this exercise before going out on the town. Make sure you note all the positive feedback you receive. You will be strutting in a different way and others will pick up on your energy. Your confidence and inner beauty will absolutely radiate.

Bring in the sheetrock, the bricks, and the mortar!

Well, don't just sit there...get in the water! Imagine all the negatives and self doubt being washed away from your body and going down the drain. Meditate. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, concentrating on each breath. Imagine you are breathing in self love and breathing out any self hatred and doubt. Welcome the peace and serenity. Picture yourself as you would like to be. Picture the future you would like to have. Keep these images in your head. This is called positive imaging, and it's not a new thing. It has been around for years. It is also called FAITH for those of you who believe in a Higher Power. Your thoughts and words color your world. You have the power to make it positive or negative. You breathe life into whatever you are focusing on. When you focus your energy on negativity, bad things are more likely to follow. And likewise, when you focus on the beauty around you, the beauty within you and the beauty in others (although they may not be "acting" so beautiful at the time), your world will be bright and light and full of positive energy.

Don't forget the roof!

Last, remember that self love is truly a gift that everyone has the power to attain. It is absolutely free. But the choice is yours. So instead of hiding who you are, start accepting and appreciating who you are.

Ever wonder why some people always have good things happen to them, seemingly without much effort? Ever wonder why some people never look worried about anything? Well, they have learned the secrets to truly being happy with themselves and their lives.

Job Well done. Now take a break. Want some lemonade?

Make sure to do these exercises every night until you truly believe that you have become the wonderful, beautiful being that you were intended to be. But if nothing else is taken away from this article, the one thing that I want to express is this: The people in your life who really should be there will love the real you, flaws and all. And as for everyone else, just keep smilin', keep shinin', and keep right on makin' lemonade!

You thirsty yet?