(the following Thought of the Day was written by Marc Jones  for Facebook)

Thought of the Day….”YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR EVERY DAY AND BE PROUD OF WHO YOU SEE”

I admit I am the worst at being critical of myself. I pick everything I do, how I look, what I say apart all the time. Now I’m not as bad as I used to be because I am working on it and I have had many revelations about myself the last seven years. But I still can be my worst critic. We all can be. Why is that?

Well, for me it comes from years of having my self esteem stamped down. Once that happens, and I blame myself a lot for it happening or allowing it to, then it takes a lot of work and time to regain that self esteem. But I am getting there. I think many of you can relate.

When I speak of looking in the mirror and being proud of who you see I’m not talking about the physical reflection altho you all know I believe in taking care of yourself and looking the best you can look for your age and stage you are at in life. What’s right for me isn’t what’s right for you. Know that.

I’m talking about does the image you see invoke pride at who you are inside. Are you loving, kind, genuine, truthful, helpful and empathetic ? Are you giving yet able to receive in gratitude as well? Are you grateful for what you have and not jealous of others and their successes? Do you celebrate others and their accomplishments? Are you faithful and loyal and do you have a good moral compass? Do you embrace good people and reject the ideas of hate and evil and narcissism at any cost?

Basically when you look in the mirror do you see a person who has lived, loved, laughed, cried, hurt and survived only to be stronger and wiser and wanting to do better? Do you see a human being with a heart willing to open it to others yet knowing there is so much more to learn and to love? Do you see a person who tries to not judge anyone but understand we all have our plights in life?

If you can see that person you, like myself, should be proud. You’ve worked hard to get there!

Blessings to you all on this great Saturday!

(Source: Marc Jones, Facebook)