Affirming 10 Things I Love About Myself: Writing Prompt

Photography by Michael Maxwell

I am brave.

People believe I am brave — at least enough to find a way to test or benefit from my bravery. A brave woman has a sacred inner amber, a wildness. It can’t be put out because it is not a fire but a raw gem that takes lifetimes to form. Bravery gives me an audacious ocean of waves to play in while others swim in stagnant seas. Indeed, it is not a bad life to swim and float, but it is certainly not a brave one.

I read a quote today by Anaïs Nin, “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

As a figurative art model, it is brave to pose for artists to empower and validate the musing primal need to see, explore, glorify, and represent human design. To find strength within oneself to move to a different city, start a business, and build an entirely new network at the tail end of a pandemic to sow new seeds for you and your daughter imperfectly is brave. And I say that from experience.

I would instead rest between the waves than live without them. Or life and love would be rather dull.

I can figure things out for the most part.

I am only sometimes the smartest in the room, which is excellent. Occasionally, I become the most knowledgeable, capable, or competent. But, I rarely find these experiences as valuable as learning from someone more intelligent than me. One thing about my character is that I can and will find a solution. It might not be the best, but it certainly won’t be the worst. And, for the most part, that makes me a reliable partner. I am willing to do the work, fail, and be vulnerable.

I will give it my best. And that’s enough.

I feel deeply.

Masking my emotions is complex, and I am learning to embrace my perspective, reactions, and responses with compassion. I avoid slaving into drama, but sometimes that drama is there with or without your emotions involved. It’s part of human interaction and polarization if you move authentically beyond and between social, societal, or cultural expectations.

I have found more confidence in my female intuition of two sides: wisdom and worry.

The more I learn to trust myself and understand life’s cycles and perceived consequences, the further I delve into my deepest feelings and predispositions. There is a spiritual mantra that helps me cope with the magnitude of might that goes like this:

I am divinely guided and protected.

I am generous and grateful for my blessings, but I have boundaries.

When a blessing comes my way, I am excited to share and collaborate! I am generous. I ensure I show and express gratitude. But I also know my value and worth, so blessings will not manipulate me, nor will I manipulate others with them.

Yes, I want love, but won’t deal with false security. I like status but won’t manage toxicity. I want to win, but I won’t wither for success. At the same time, my happiness does not matter to me when my heart is invested, so I have to protect my blessings.

I want there to be joy because life is too short.

Although disagreements occur and paths part, I generally wish the best for other people. I am not afraid to let go if it will make someone happier about continuing their life. I fear being a perpetual source of unhappiness for others in this life. I am not a burden, and I am not a miracle worker.

Happiness is a privilege, but joy is a prize.

We are no longer aligned if joy is not in our presence, and I will volunteer to remove myself where I am not welcomed. Although it may hurt, satisfaction with your life and existence is valuable for the greater good. And, what makes you happy changes as we explore the different versions of ourselves. I am not forever nor for everyone.

The gift I am willing to give to every soul is the freedom of me.

Photo by Basil James on Unsplash

I have style.

I always admire people with style. Expressing yourself with style is a way of claiming your identity and managing your energy. When you are stylish, it does not mean you have the most expensive clothes. It means you dress thoughtfully for the occasion, comfort, and non-conformity with whatever you have for clothing and accessories.

Having style shows a sense of pride in oneself and awareness of the messages on your body. I started paying more attention to how I dressed, especially when networking, because it helps start conversations.

I am compassionate.

I can see many perspectives and truths. If you make a mistake, do something awkward, or things between us don’t end well, please trust that I see your viewpoint without invalidating my own. And, if you can’t do the same, it will be hard to have a conversation and experience intimacy because I won’t feel safe to be human around you.

I can also see that people struggling with unfortunate circumstances like homelessness, poverty, displacement, or domestic violence deserve to be treated with care in our communities. I understand that societal expectations and humanity are contradictory and soul-crushing, so I don’t ostracize or shame others by the standards of the matrix.

I am stubborn, so I am patient, yet my patience wears.

I have good genes.

My mother is beautiful, and my father is athletic. My family has its traumas, but I don’t recall random or genetic physical ailment or illness playing a significant role in our family dynamic (besides what can occur to anyone with unhealthy habits). I am not ignorant of the privileges of being somewhat well-built, attractive, able to heal, and rich in melanin.

Although I try not to place my worth in vanities, my genetics contribute to my overall human experience and self-love.

I am poetic, which drives my creative experience.

I am not just a vessel for meaning; I move like poetry. Since I got any sense of my essence, I’ve been known to sway, stroll, and strut when I walk. Innately, I embody the ebb and flow through my actions. It’s a slow turn of the neck versus a hard head swivel. If I choose, I can lure listeners by their ears to my lips.

I have the capacity for growth.

Growth is life’s goal, the evolution of the soul.

I am lucky enough to grow from my experiences. As a mother, I learned that children learn by your example. And being an example of the process and ability to grow and change for the better as a person is a significant part of being a good parent. And I love myself for that.