Lessons from Handsome

So I had a salad for lunch today, and as I was putting my plate away I saw the tupperware of sugar cookies on the counter and thought to myself, "I'll have one of those."  As I pulled off the lid of the container and grabbed a napkin for my cookie I thought, "I eat salads for lunch so I don't feel guilty about having cookies for 'lunch dessert'."  But then I remembered Handsome's words when I had related a similar story to him, "I never feel guilty about eating food."  What?  You don't feel guilty when you have two cookies or eat all of your meal at Applebees?  This man-thought was new and intriguing, and, honestly, his words have shaped my thoughts and self-image tremendously.

I have learned many, many things from Handsome.  As a good breaking-the-2-month-blog-silence post, I want to encourage you with some of them.

1. There is no need to feel guilty about any food you eat.  Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full.
2. You are beautiful.  Really.  Inside and out.  Believe it, embrace it.
3. All you can ever do is your best.  If it isn't good enough for someone, know that it's good enough for God, and his opinion is what matters the most.
4. You will not find joy in comparing yourself to others.  You have your own unique things to offer.
5. It's okay to be a girl in a man-dominated world.
6. You are more than your grades.  It's okay if you fail sometimes, you'll move on.
7. Accept gifts and trials from God's hand, even if it is not what you expected.
8. Never, ever complain.