How weird it feels to type that headline for this post. It is not a natural thing to stop and share what I believe is awesome about myself, but I loved this challenge set by Dorothy at Singular Insanity.
It also happened to tie in nicely with where my head was already for this week’s grateful. I found myself thinking on Monday how grateful I was that I grew up believing I could do anything I wanted in life. I know that is not something to be taken for granted. So many kids grow up without ever hearing that others believe in them, they feel limited by their parents or what teachers say to them, perhaps by virtue of where they were born or what they did not have.
I did not grow up with money (but was always around others who had plenty). I lost my father very young. I did not have a family history of over-achievers. Still, I was always told that I was smart and strong and that I could do or be anything I could dream of. That is the legacy I want to pass on to my girls and I am grateful that others always shared their confidence in me so that I could draw on that when I did not believe I could do anything I dreamed of.
So that brings me to Dorothy’s challenge and sharing 30 things I know and love about myself – what makes me me, what makes me enough, what makes me awesome. In no particular order -
1. I am compassionate
2. I am empathetic – almost to a fault where I feel drained emotionally as I listen, relate to and support others
3. I am authentically me – I don’t have the energy or desire to be something I am not so stay true to what I believe and who I am
4. I give great hugs to my kids – I know in my heart that they feel safe and loved in my arms and that this is where they come when they are fragile or sad or lonely
5. I bake the most awesome brownies – and continue to do so for others even after giving up sugar for my mental health
6. I am tone deaf but continue to sing loud and proud
7. I am a world traveller
8. I am sensitive
9. I am always working at being the best I can be
10. I can write
11. I love to learn
12. I learned to drive at 30-31 years old while pregnant with my first child – try learning hill starts in a manual while a baby is kicking to get out
13. I am a survivor – the loss of a parent, rape, severe Post Natal Depression and Anxiety – I am still standing even if some days it is just barely
14. I stand up for others
15. I believe in total equality regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, location, education, class, or any other factor others may look upon to divide us. If we are human then we are all the same imperfect beings and deserve the same opportunities in life
16. I am grateful and that makes me whole
17. I am organised and that keeps me sane
18. I am a mother
19. I am open
20. I am a dreamer
21. I am always trying
22. I am evolving
23. I love food and eat for pleasure
24. I love to read and often have up to 5 books on the go and would be happy on a desert island with an unlimited supply of books
25. I savour the cup of coffee my husband brings me each morning in bed (where I sit and read before getting up). He does not buy me presents or flowers, but this gesture alone reassures me of his love.
26. I have only ever had one love in my life-soon to celebrate 18 years together, not easy but under it all I married my best friend and I am blessed
27. I am an awesome brainstormer – get things going and my brain is on fire
28. I am imperfect
29. I am 40 years old and comfortable with aging – I hope to never dye my hair or feel the urge to hide my age. I am proud of my 40 years and hope the next 40 are kind to me
30. I love fresh starts
I would love it if you joined in with Dorothy’s challenge, but if not please pause and share in the comments what makes you awesome, what you love about yourself (be it 1 thing or 10 I want to hear it today!).
What is your “own special light”?
Find your simple,
Deb
Linking up with Dorothy for things I know and Bron for 52 weeks of grateful – my first ever double linky!
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Wasn’t this just a great idea. I was surprised at how how quickly some of them came to me as well. Just goes to show that we really are all pretty darn awesome. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
Rhianna recently posted..Thirty Awesome Things I Know About Me
Thanks Rhianna – I am glad I am not the only one who had things come to them quickly – good self esteem is something to celebrate!
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your life {Week 33: Move your body}
What a beautiful list Deb. I like it a lot! I’m almost 42 and have noticed a few greys of late. Wish I could be proud of them – but I’m struggling there. Again – love your list
Caz recently posted..30 Good Things About Me (The Thing I know Challenge) Could you do it?
i started getting greys at the start of the year and was shocked how many people said that it was late to get them (some had started at 18-20 or so) so i feel blessed in that regard and just pull them out one by one LOL. i said “hope” because i might feel different if it accelerates in my 40s. think of each grey hair as a sign of your wisdom that comes with age ; )
Debra Dane recently posted..Intentional Living – with free daily planner printable
Deb I LOVE your list. In particular the one where you are “authentically you” because that is exactly how I feel about myself. It’s taken me a while to get there but I am very content with where I am.
Leanne @ Uber Simplicity recently posted..the thirty things challenge
awesome Leanne – i love “you were born an original so don’t die a copy” the fact that 10+ women can write their lists and be mostly different shows our individuality and what makes us individually awesome! loved yours!
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your Life {week 34: eating habits}
Oh, I would give up a lifetime of presents and flowers for a daily coffee in bed!
Love this challenge. Just might do it for myself!
Kate recently posted..Life is beautiful
Please do Kate – i think you would blitz it if you were honest about how great you are ; ) i could name 5-10 quickly for you just from reading your blog… you ARE awesome
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
Onto it! May need to grab those ten! Suck at fifteen!
Kate recently posted..Note to self – number one
keep going, re-read your posts if you don’t know… you inspire others, you are brave, you have a big heart, you face your fears, you are creative, you are open
need more!!? you can do it!
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
And I did do it! Thanks Deb.
Kate recently posted..Something about Kate
Stuck
Kate recently posted..Why be ordinary…
What a beautiful list! I agree with the coffee in bed – it is such a little gesture, but the little things mean the most! I tell my husband that I fold his Explorer socks because I love him, otherwise they’re too scratchy and tight on my arms (turning them right way out!)
Alyce {Blossom Heart} recently posted..Thirty Things
That is awesome Alyce – little gestures can mean the most and usually ARE so filled with love.
Debra Dane recently posted..Intentional Living – with free daily planner printable
What a great list! It gave me a great insight into who you are and I like you already! I also like your husband
You should add great list maker to your list. haha!
Toushka Lee recently posted..Things I know
I totally should have – i am the queen of lists and have a draft post ready all about list making LOL! so nice to connect with you thanks to the linky as well as i don’t usually participate in things i know even though i think it is a fab one! (i usually do only grateful on Fridays)
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your Life {week 34: eating habits}
So glad you chose to join in and that is one awesome list.
I found more things on your list that I could easily add to mine. In fact reading everyone’s lists today, has helped me realise that I have many more positive qualities than I thought.
Thanks for joining in
Dorothy @ Singular Insanity recently posted..Things I Know – The Thirty Things Challenge
Thanks. I think those who said they did not get far could find many on others’ lists like you did – you can recognize things as you read them easier than thinking of them yourself. it triggered even more when i read everyone’s posts xx
Debra Dane recently posted..Intentional Living – with free daily planner printable
oh deb i love you… you are such an awesome woman xx
Lyndal recently posted..we’re ganna play in the dark, ’til it’s golden again
right back at you! xxx
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your Life {week 34: eating habits}
I LOVE your list. I love that you have articulated these things about yourself – which often women have a hard time doing (being positive about ourselves). Your compassionate and genuine nature shines through. xxx PS I love fresh starts too.
Than you so much Deb – i appreciate your comment (and fresh starts are the best!)
Debra Dane recently posted..65+ ideas to help you find your fitness passion
Phew…I made it without crying this time!
I can read this list, vouch for it’s truth and still know that you have only scratched the surface. Yeah…you’re pretty damn fabuloso !
kirri recently posted..33 quotes to inspire self care, self-knowledge and self-love
thanks Kirri and that is the first time i have been called fabuloso – i like it ; )
Debra Dane recently posted..Intentional Living – with free daily planner printable
You are beautiful. x
Maxabella recently posted..52 weeks of grateful: hindsight
Thank you Bron – you make me teary sometimes…(in a good way)
Debra Dane recently posted..5 things you can do today to start eating healthier
What a glorious post.. I feel i know you more after reading this! you are amazing! I am struggling with my list of 30.. but you have made me look at the list differently. I love your perspective on things
xxx
Java Jane recently posted..Happy Birthday little sister
Thanks Jane – i hope you finish your list and share it – make it your own celebration of you!
Debra Dane recently posted..Grateful for my mind shift
just went over to your blog and you posted it – yay!
Debra Dane recently posted..Return to work series {On Flexibility}
Great list Deb! I didn’t think you were 40. You look fantastic for your age, not that there’s anything wrong with women in their 40′s. (Great to catch up on Thursday.)
Anne xx
Anne @ Domesblissity recently posted..27 ways to use paw paw / papaya
Great to see you too Anne – and I am blessed to have inherited my mom’s genes and she did not start aging until her 50s and in her 70s still looks a decade younger (woo hoo)
Debra Dane recently posted..Simplify your life {Week 33: Move your body}
What a great idea and a great list! I’ll have to give it a go.
xx Julie
Julie recently posted..Week 34: Grateful for this day
I missed a whole slew of comments so sorry for the delay in replying – thanks and I hope you do create a list even just for yourself (i don’t recall seeing you post anything xx)
Debra Dane recently posted..4 ideas for kids to document everyday life
Hi Deb, Well I gave it a go and wrote my own list. It’s here if you’re interested in reading it
http://off-to-the-park.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/30-things-i-love-about-myself.html
Julie recently posted..30 things I love about myself
So beautiful – you, the list! love this Deb, and I love that you’re grateful for it too! 30 things is a lot! Not sure I can find that many, but I will try for me anyway xx
Elisa recently posted..Days like this
Thanks so much Elisa – I am grateful to have connected with you via blogging, your energy always lifts me up xxx
Debra Dane recently posted..Keeping the art of writing alive with our kids
OH Debra, what an amazing list and an amazing woman! But I didn’t need to read these 30 Things to know that about you! I love how real you are, how open you are and how you are always challenging yourself to be better/more/reach goals and step outside your comfort zone. Awesome list!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..The 30 Things Challenge
You are so wonderful Aroha – thank you for your lovely wordsa nd apologies for the late reply – i swear i must read comments on my phone and think i replied. xx
Debra Dane recently posted..Transforming my kitchen counter clutter hotspot with Howards Storage World
This is such a great idea and a great list (so I’m glad I got around to reading it). I am the first to compliment and admire others for their qualities, but find it hard to do the same for myself.
Melissa @ Bright Side up recently posted..Charged Double for texting with Smileys
I hope you take the time to inventory how awesome you are – it is good to remind ourselves or search for it if we struggle in this area.
Debra Dane recently posted..Letting go
Oh Sweetheart. I’ve just found this post. What a sensational list. You are spectacular. I’m so pleased to have you in my life. J x
Jane Green recently posted..Leaping out of my skin with excitement!
Thank you lovely – right back at you! and thanks for bringing me back to it – i got to re-read it and discover i missed some comments!
Debra Dane recently posted..4 ideas for kids to document everyday life