Project 31. Day 6.

Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?

So, I sat here and stared at this question for quite a while. Jaded isn't exactly a foreign word, you hear it all the time. To me, Jaded always meant something similar to scorned, a chip on your shoulder, made bitter. That is typically the way jaded is used in our society. So I am staring at this question and wondering how I could ever be jaded by the world's deffinition of beauty. Like a puzzle piece, I kept trying to make past thoughts and feelings fit in the jaded spot.

Have I ever been disappointed that I am not as skinny as the world prefers? Sure. Jaded? Not so much. So with this, I wanted to be able to actually write on this topic so I visited dictionary.com to see what THEIR definition of jaded was. Perhaps I can take a different spin? I was surprised at what I found:

Looking at their definition, it doesn't carry near the heavy negative connotation as I felt that it did. So lets look at #2 here, as it would be the most fitting of our topic: worn out or wearied, as by overwork or overuse. I still don't think that I can ever say I was 'jaded' by the world's definition of beauty. Beauty is all about perception, confidence, and inner spirit. None of these things I have ever felt jaded about. I certainly do not give physical attributes enough weight in my worries to be considered wearied or worn out.

So... final answer: NO, I do not ever feel jaded by the world's definition of beauty.

Project 31. Day 5.

Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive

To my sweet & precious love,

Since the day I first felt you move in my belly, I was overcome with a feeling I wasn't sure that I recognized. You continued to grow, and I began singing to you and telling you stories. I think you heard me. :)

We have been through so much my pretty baby. You came into this world with such a struggle on your tiny, little hands. From the moment I saw you, I recognized that feeling: true, unconditional, unaltered, deep-seeded love. It seems like the first year we fought, and fought hard together to get through one obstacle after another. But we made it.

I love you more than words can tell you, I want things for you even greater than I can know. You are intelligent, beautiful, happy, funny, witty, creative, and loving and I admire you in so many ways. I hope that I can guide you down the path of life and help you gain every glory and success your heart desires in this life.

The one thing you may not know, or ever know... is how completely, and utterly you changed not just my heart... but my soul. Before you I was lost and struggling to find myself and my purpose, and by just existing you pulled the blindfold off my eyes and revealed a beautiful, delightful world to me that I never knew existed around me before. In loving you, I was able to find me. Thank you, my Olivia. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me real beauty and helping me to understand my heart and my soul. Thank you for making me want to be a better person for me as well as for you. Thank you for blessing each day.

Olivia full of Grace... I love you.

-Momma

xoxo

I feel pretty.... ohhh so pretty!

This just tickled me this morning, so I wanted to share! We were getting ready and this morning Olivia was particularly adamant that SHE was going to brush her hair this morning before I put it up. No big deal.

As you can see she has a big lump of hair, well I told her not to worry about it because we were going to put it up anyway and you wont be able to tell.

It was at this point that she pipes up and INSISTS that she must make it all "beautiful" for her friends at school. Then she continued to go on and on about how it has to be beautiful for her friends.

Kids say the darndest things, don't they?

Project 31. Day 3

Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?

First of all... I apologize for skipping Sunday. It was a very busy day for me. So lets call today... Day 3, shall we?

When being asked who is someone I know that inspires beauty, my mind automatically goes to one person, my sister. Katrina has a way of making anything she touches beautiful. She also makes anything ordinarily beautiful simply amazing. Her creative soul, and positive demeanor is wonderful and even inspiring. She sees the world through pink puffy glasses and just being near her is infectious! Her sense of humor is so very candid that you cannot help but retract to a child-like self.

Besides her glowing self she is so very creative. You could give her popsickle sticks, construction paper, and glitter and she would build you a modern, ultra-hip kitchen table. Ok -- maybe not really -- but at least something cool to sit on TOP of the table.

Thank you for being your wonderful, beautiful self. I encourage you all to take a peek at her blog.

xoxo

Project 31. Day 2.

Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?

I'm a mother

a daughter

a sister

a friend

an employee

a student

a girlfriend

a homemaker

an aspiring chef (in my own home!)

a humanitarian

a realist

So what makes me uniquely me? My heart. I adore most people I meet.... I worry about those I will never meet.... I want to make a difference and touch others lives, as so many have touched mine. Whether it is through volunteering, being a good friend, helping when needed, or any other means, I hope I too can make a difference. There is so much ugly in this world and such a lack of beauty that I believe that we can make it so much more promising if we all work together.

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." -Gandhi

Project 31. Day 1

Day 1: What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty comes in so many forms, shapes, and designs. Everything from mother nature… to your neighbor down the street. It is too easy to get wrapped up in daily tasks and ignore all the beauty that surrounds us every minute of every day. While I appreciate nature, it’s beauty is fairly obvious. People, on the other hand, do not get nearly enough credit. People are beautiful. To me, nothing is more beautiful than a person with a kind heart. So for this blog, I won’t give a single definition for beauty… instead I will share with you traits that I find beautiful, that I admire, and above all that I hope to possess.

• Laughing without caring who hears you.
• Smiling…just because it feels good.
• Loving with your whole heart.
• Rejoicing in your victories and accepting your failures.
• Compassion.
• Creating your environment, not letting it create you.
• Respect and appreciation for everyone and everything around you.
• Loving yourself just the way you are without needing someone else to.

So, what do you find most beautiful?

Project 31. Celebrate Your Beauty.

Some say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I say beauty is within each of us. It is so easy to get caught up in how other people perceive beauty that we forget to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us as well as the beauty we possess. Every woman is beautiful.. so let us celebrate!

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” -Ashley Smith

What is "Project 31"? It is a collection of thoughts, ideas, and women who portray beauty in a inspired way. "Project 31" is you celebrating your God given beauty, and celebrating the beautiful women around you.

Wanna join in? Here is the challenge... For 31 days, blog each day about things that celebrate your beauty, and the beauty of the women around you. I attached a list below you can follow, or you can make up your own.

THE LIST OF UPCOMING TOPICS:

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are you learning as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about it.
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Tell us omething you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to (daughter,niece,young girl). Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food.
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him.
Day 22. Write a letter to your family as a whole.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What are you being taught you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!



Ready? Goto: Mandy's page or Kat's page to link up. Let's encourage each other in this project by visiting each other blogs and leaving encouraging comments.