Be Kind to Yourself

My Nana once told me:  "Teresa Marie" (that's my REAL name and I was always in trouble when she used it with my middle name...) "do not ever apologize for your house or your life.  You do not need to apologize for who you are."   At the time I had three little children, a husband who worked shift work and I was driving 1 hour each way to work daily.  I love a clean home but it never seemed clean and I was oh-so frustrated.  She came to visit and I said "Excuse my house Nana..."  That's when she imparted her wisdom on me (one of the many times but we will go on past that in this post!).  My Nana's words have resonated with me since that time and even though I am the hardest on myself and I tend to forget what really matters, those words creap in and I know she was speaking the truth.  I miss her so much.

It took me awhile after I lost my job to realize that bad things do happen to good people.  Just because something bad happened doesn't make me any less of a good citizen, a good mother, a GREAT wife (if I say so myself), a perfect daughter.  Okay, I'm stretching on that one... 

Every day I learn a truth about myself.  I had a friend (I'll call her Sally) call me today to discuss a blog "Sally" had read (http://missgracieshouse.blogspot.com/.  Sidebar:  This blog was so honest and open that I have nothing but praise for this woman's courage.)  "Sally" felt that this blog was written just for her because she identified with Miss Gracie.    "Sally" is one of the most generous and caring women I have ever met.  She's very creative and enthusiastic.  She accepts people so genuinely, including all of their warts they come with!  She is always ready with a praise of some sort to lift someone's spirits.  Yet she's afraid people will judge her because she spends her time giving of herself instead of organizing her home.  While I believe organization is important for me, it doesn't have to be that way for everyone.   My truth today was "Why do we have to be so hard on ourselves?  Why do we judge others who are different than we are?  Why do we make someone feel less that what they are worth?"  "Sally" is wonderful just as she is... therefore, "Sally", and I for that matter, need to quit berating ourselves.  We all need to be a little kinder to ourselves.  After all, we are the one person that we will always be able to count on.  Love yourselves.  God does....  And if you need a little more inspiration, go to the Braves Girl Club (http://bravegirlsclub.com/). 

I had a little time in my studio the last 24 hours and I was able to stretch my wings.  I created this tag.   

I used Tim Holtz' birdcage die cut (love it!).  You can find it here. 

Prima Flowers and Tim Holtz ticket and mini-key (which you can barely see in this picture)...

Bird is from a napkin which I have done a card with on this blog.  Red feather from Hobby Lobby.

The gold metallic is metallic rub-on.  I used it on my sides of my tag and on the birdcage.  I used brads on the flowers and bottom of the birdcage. 

You can find this on my Etsy store if you'd like to purchase it or request a special order.  Have a great day and love yourselves!