The Happy Feed

Sometimes I wonder if the challenges we face

are the reason we eventually flourish.

Maybe that pressure is transforming us into a new type of someone…

someone that’s more loving,

someone that’s more kind,

someone that’s more human.

what in your life is distracting you from peace

from calm

from a quiet spirit and a loving heart?

those are the weeds you must dig up.

your season is changing…

make room to plant new gardens.

So much of self care is rewriting your moments
finding new narratives
letting down walls
and rediscovering the confidence that already lives inside our hearts. 

There are moments where you felt worthless,
but you are valuable.

There are moments where you felt defenseless,
but you are powerful. 

There are moments when you made yourself small, 
but you were designed to let that light shine. 

You are growing and changing

Becoming something new.

You’re investing in your heart

And treating yourself with kindness.

And it’s working.

I know you’re not quite where you want to be… yet

but those baby steps

and incremental changes are adding up.

I just wanted to pop in and say: I’m proud of you.

xo Justin

Conflict is not inherently bad.

In fact, sometimes it’s necessary.

Meaningful personal growth comes from regularly having difficult conversations.

Better to speak your truth when an issue is fresh,
than have it build into something bigger than it needs to be.

Instead of always striving to keep the peace, what if you allowed yourself to be honest?

When you reach that goal, you’re not suddenly going to live happily ever after. 

There will be new challenges

And new obstacles

And eventually bigger, bolder goals. 

The conundrum is that the goal is the impetus for the journey. 

And the journey is the only thing that actually matters. 

Find joy in the state of becoming. 

Find clarity in constantly evolving.

Find peace in the meaningful pursuit of your purpose.

Just keep going. 

Something funny happens when you start your self-care journey. 

The shift from ignoring your deepest needs to investing in yourself can be drastic.

You have to focus all of your attention inward to make some meaningful internal changes. And for many of us, we can become a bit selfish–at least at the beginning. 

But then you realize that your best self can come from a deep love for yourself and for your community. 

You realize that in relationship to the world, you can make leaps and bounds in personal growth.

You remember that we’re actually all in this together.

You’re responsible for your behavior today. 

You can’t blame your parents.

Or your circumstances. 

You have to heal.

And try to make the best choices you can given everything you’ve learned so far.

Let go of the excuses and be accountable for the life you want to create.

You told me to give up.
But I won’t.

You promised that I would fail.
And I might this time.
But I promise I will keep trying.

You questioned my vision.
But thankfully, I know I was designed to do this work.

I will show up even though you’re constantly nagging me with doubt.

Because this is my passion.
This is my purpose.
This is my chance to make a small dent in the universe.

I am loved.
I am worthy.
And I will press on.

It won’t be perfect the first time. And that’s okay.
I will get better. It will get easier.

Fear won’t stop this progress.

xo Justin

Journal Prompt

Write a letter to your biggest stumbling block right now. It can be fear or envy or shame–anything you can think of. Name the way you feel and counterbalance it with a positive spin.