5 Things: Tuesday Thoughts

I read a quotation this morning. I often start my day by leafing through one of my motivational 'bibles' of positivity. Recently I have been incredibly busy, increasingly stressed and insufferably tired. It's all very well and good telling myself to be positive, to respect myself and to cherish my health above all else, but it is a complete different thing actually actively taking my own advice. Sometimes the hardest battle is between what you know and what you feel. I've been slipping back into a dangerous cycle that I have fought very hard to stay away from. So bearing this in mind, I decided to take a few days off. Off from blogging, off from work, off from over thinking, over analysing and over complicating. I never really had a plan for how much time I wanted to take out, but when I read this particular quotation this morning, something sparked in my head and I remembered why I began my blog in the first place;

"I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say; because of you, I didn't give up"

I didn't start my blog to be that person, I started my blog because so many other people had been that person for me. Sometimes things happen in life that are beyond our control and it is at these times that it can be harder than ever to carry on fighting. But whatever it is, it is a fight you can win. For my March 'Five Things' post I've decided to do something a little different, and share with you my five favourite quotes to help get your mind back on track:

1. People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if their light is from within.

2. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.

3. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

4. At first they'll ask you why you're doing it, later they'll ask you how.

5. You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.

I think the point of this post is to remind you (and to remind myself) to live for no one but you. Make yourself your number one priority and accept that people will criticise your choice. You will never please everyone, but pleasing yourself is a pretty good place to start.