Starting for the Last Time

1. Don’t compare yourself to others. You are totally unique, and have different talents, abilities and strengths.

2. Never criticise or put yourself down. There are plenty of others who will do that for you. You need to be your biggest, and you greatest, fan. Be understanding, gentle and kind to yourself.

3. Consciously accept every compliment you get and see them as accurate and genuinely meant. Don’t brush them off as stupid, wrong, or meaningless.

4. Keep affirming yourself until it changes how you feel. It may feel false at first when you say something like “I accept myself completely– and believe I’m valuable”. But as you constantly repeat it you’ll find that, over time, you do accept and value the person that you are.

5. Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people. If you hang out with people who always put you down, and never seem to like or approve of your ideas, then you’ll soon stop believing in yourself as well (and it will also crush your creativity).

6. Make a list of your successes and accomplishments – like playing an instrument, learning how to cook, passing an exam, graduating from high school, or getting into college, or receiving an award. Review this list often – and be proud of yourself!

7. Make a list of your positive qualities and traits. Are you an honest, reliable and caring friend? Do you make time for others? Do you try to do your best? Again, review this list often, and get into the habit of focusing on your positive qualities and traits.

8. Spend your time doing things that you are good at, and enjoy. We become more alive when we’re doing things we love - and that naturally increases our self-confidence (as we’re being our true selves and not just acting out a role).

9. Get involved. If you sit on the sidelines and avoid all challenges then you won’t be able to achieve much in life. But if you push through the feelings of anxiety and fear, then you’ll grow, be successful, and have higher self esteem.

Unlike Tom, I know this about myself. I try to keep this in mind when I get into relationships, so that I can be in the relationship instead of in love with the relationship.

People hate this movie because it's not romantic. If you really see what's happening, it's not romantic in the slightest. But remember this, the narrator says at the beginning "This is not a love story." It isn't a love story. It's a story about a guy falling in love with the idea of a girl, getting his heart broken when she doesn't love his back, and then learning something about himself. He quits the job he hates, goes after his passion, becomes a better person, and meets someone else. Maybe it will work out with Autumn, maybe it won't, that's not the point. The point is his journey.

Art history meme | 5/6 themes or series or subjects

Potato Salad:

Broccoli, almonds, cheese, and mint

Smoked salmon, egg, and dill

Avocado, egg, and French mustard

I love…