Silent Struggles

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For anyone fighting a chronic illness and feels exhausted, defeated, unheard, misunderstood, unseen or mistreated, know you do not fight alone. There are thousands of people fighting similar battles, often unknown to others around them. It’s important to voice your struggles and look for the appropriate support systems. No one should or has to fight on their own.

It’s hard to love your body when it can’t do what you want it to, when it seems like it is failing more every day. Illness, accidents or age has the power to slow us down or even prevent us from living the life we imagined for ourselves. It is easy to give up or give in and allow ourselves to wallow in self-pity and despair.

I encourage you today to live your best life even when it’s tough. Do one small thing you enjoy. Notice one beautiful thing you can see near by. Appreciate something or someone special. Be grateful for the day and find a reason to look forward to tomorrow.

Be Pretty, Plus and Proud even on your darkest day. The sun will shine again and you are strong enough to fight any battle. You are brave enough to take on any challenge and make it a victory. Even when your body may seem like it’s falling apart, you have the power within to do great things. You are valuable, worthy and enough even if you don’t feel well. Keep showing up because the possibility that tomorrow will be better is always waiting for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and remember to be kind to all you meet. You don’t know the battle someone else may be trying to conquer.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

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This past weekend I celebrated Thanksgiving with friends and family. I know it’s confusing to some but Canadian Thanksgiving is in October while the United States celebrate Thanksgiving in November.

Thank you to my wonderful sister in-law and brother-in-law for hosting such a wonderful meal and gathering! The food was amazing and the company of loved ones even better!

One of my favourite meals of the year; turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, squash bake, corn, gravy, YUMMY!!

Not to mention the desserts; pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple cinnamon cobbler, brownies and fruit.

While we should live each day with gratitude, Thanksgiving helps us to pause and truly appreciate all that we are blessed with.

Here’s my gratitude list:

I am thankful for:

– family

– friends

– cooler days and sweater weather

– my loveable puppy Morgan

– my health

– my home and…

Some days work hard at pulling us down making being grateful an emotion that’s difficult to conjure. However, I urge you to take a moment at the end of each day and think of something or someone that blessed you today. Big or small, remember that you have people, possessions, opportunities, moments and abilities that many don’t have and wish they did.

For the life I get to live and the people traveling the journey with me!

Be Pretty, Plus and Proud and no matter whether you celebrate Thanksgiving holiday or not, my hope for you is that you have things to be grateful for like I do.

Time Flies

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Time sure flies by fast! I can’t believe it’s already been seven years since I started my blog! I have thoroughly enjoyed the writing process, connecting with people from all over the world and inspiring people to love who they are and to live their best life every day. My own posts have certainly helped me to focus on more positive things about myself and the environment that surrounds me. Not every day is perfect but I have learned to try and find the good even on the bad days. I have embraced the idea that kindness doesn’t cost anything and the more you spread positivity, the more you receive in return.

I want to send out my most sincere appreciation for all the support, encouragement and positive feedback I have received over the years. I am so happy that my readers enjoy what I write and that it motivates them to be a little more gentle with themselves. I hope I can continue to spark a little joy in everyone’s life!

Be Pretty, Plus and Proud and remember you are worthy, enough and beautiful just the way you are! Thank you for the last seven years and hopefully many more years of writing are still to come!

Posted on Pinterest by Etsy. Artist unknown.

Today I Will…

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Image posted on Pinterest by Zazzle.

Today I plan to..

Be happy.

Walk boldly.

Be brave.

Choose wisely.

Be grateful.

Speak confidently.

Be thoughtful.

Love fully.

Be the best version of me.

Be Pretty, Plus and Proud!

What are your plans for the day?

Image posted on Pinterest by Redbubble.

Is It Contagious?

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Posted on Instagram by Kristen Kasper.

I am the type of person who easily picks up on other people’s moods. I pick it up and take it on as my own. If people around me are cranky, sad, frustrated, angry or negative then so am I. If people around me are happy, satisfied, positive and upbeat then I am too. Are you like me?

That’s why, for me, it’s important that my people are generally happy in life. We all have rough days and it’s perfectly normal to have bad moods. It’s the people who constantly complain or choose to see only obstacles that I have had to let go of. I can’t live my life with that kind of gloom hanging over my head.

Today I am choosing happiness. Today I am choosing optimism and love because that’s what I want reflecting back at me. That’s what I want everyone I meet today to catch from me.

Be Pretty, Plus and Proud and be the happy, easy going, carefree person you would want to be friends with.

*If you are struggling with chronic depression, anxiety or mental/emotional pain and can’t find a way out alone, please seek professional medical attention.*