Be. You. Tiful.

     If you are reading this, I want to be certain that you know and truly trust that you ARE worth loving.  A week ago today, I attended a So Worth Loving party to kickoff/ fundraise for their tour. For those of you, which is most likely the majority, who do not know what on earth I am talking about, allow to shed some light on the subject.  So Worth Loving is an Atlanta (woot whoop) based life-stlye clothing brand and now movement that literally the goal is to boost self- confidence.  "Love you. Love people." Chew on that for a bit...once that is digested, I want you to apply it to your life.  It is absolutely mind- blowing how much more we get accomplished, and how much better we feel when we love ourselves.  We have to love ourselves to genuinely love and be loved.  Next time you look in a mirror, instead of saying, " If only I could lose that inner thigh," or "Ugh, I wish I had hair like so and so," say "Thank you, legs, for being healthy so I can do all that I can." or "Wow, I have a great smile!" Comparison is the thief of joy.  I am preaching to the choir, I am fully aware.  My name is Cierra Motes, and I am SO worth loving.  I am worth taking pictures because I am pretty enough.  I am worth chasing my dreams because I am not a failure.  I am worth not being afraid to feeling inadequate.  I am worth doing what makes me happy.  I am worth being pursued by an incredible guy.  I am worthy.  Do I believe all of this yes? No. But I will repeat it day in and day out until I do.  And then, I am going to spread that message.

Let's Get Real.

             Another first week of school down. Whoop, I have survived! This year's goal, however, is not to simply survive, but rather to, dare I say, enjoy it.  Though I am young still, I realized to my dismay, I am growing older. Perhaps not taller, but I rest my case. I don't have as much time as I once did. I don't have enough time to put school first, work first, money first, reputation first, etc.  If the world finds me successful, I have failed.  Sidenote: speaking of high-school, to you "kool kids": You are not.  I enjoy your nerdy moments far beyond any "I'm too cool for that", "I don't care" moments. In fact, it burns my biscuits.  And I don't care how much you paid for your shoes.  At any rate, another note I'd like to make, not everything in life is a soap opera.  It's okay to cry and not to be okay, and it's even okay for this to happen for no reason. Now, don't get me wrong, staying in this mood could cause issues, but let's not pretend like we're reenacting "Titanic" (don't get me started with my dislike for this, either); what were to happen if we got real. If we didn't beat around the bush of feelings we all encounter.  It's not a code, or bad, or rare thing. It is natural.  I know just as much as anyone, more than most, that self-esteem issues are an every-day battle.  There is no cure for this. I am sure even the most accomplished(whatever that means) human has insecurities. Just remember kids, it's not what you do or have, but how you rock it. And people don't love people for the number of Honor Roll certificates or Grammies or Olympic gold medals. People love people who are able to love them. But in order to love others, you have to be able to love yourself(love and stuck up your own butt have different meanings..)
Laugh. Smile. Love. Be a friend. Allow others to be a friend to you.  Be selflessly selfish. Your reflection(inside and out) will thank you. As will the world.