#5

"I Love You" ...
is such a powerful phrase.
Just the thought of the feeling you get when HE (SHE) tells you that can take from feeling 'blah' to feeling unstoppable.

When you truly share that bond with another person, hearing that phrase and saying that phrase never gets tiring.

So then that leads me to wonder how much more amazing should we feel, when we read over and over again that God loves us?
How much more eager should we be to constantly tell God we love him and seek out his love by living for him?

No matter how strong our love for our significant other may be; the love of God outweighs it significantly.
If we can open our hearts to mere humans who without a doubt will fail, we should be breaking down walls and all barriers to open our hearts to God, who is completely infallible.

#4

Self Concept

There are two theories which refer to the way that our self concept is developed.
1) Reflected Appraisal = that is your self concept is shaped by perceptions based on the judgments of others [particularly if the individual holds significance]
2) Social Comparison = self concept is shaped by comparing self to others. [who is your reference group?]

I thought these were interesting theories because they are relevant and I reflected on how my self concept has changed for the better over the years.
I hope that I can use the things that I have learned about myself and my self worth to empower, comfort and teach my children.

Having a positive and realistic view of yourself is so important. It shapes so many aspects of your life. It affects relationships and careers.

I don't think it's a mistake that statistically it is said that people who think highly of themselves live more fulfilling lives. Even better, people who practice a religion live longer and more fulfilling lives. And maybe I'm just a little bias but I believe that if it was researched, people who are Christians would be at the high end of the spectrum.

To know God is to know Love. To be able to love God allows us to effectively love ourselves. Effectively loving ourselves allows us to actively love others...the way God taught us to.