In a world that's constantly telling you to put others' needs before your own,
Choose yourself first.
Look down at your hands.
Marvel at the lines on your palms.
The wrinkles on your fingers.
Each one telling a story of the dreams you've achieved with these hands when you chose yourself first.
You've been led to believe that you have to live life a certain way.
That you need to fit into a mold.
You believe that you will be loved when you get the job,
Make the money,
Lose the weight.
But what about what you want?
What about what you desire?
What about the aspirations you dream about as you gaze at the stars in the night sky?
Choose these.
Choose yourself first.
Listen to your heartstrings.
Listen to the beating that keeps you alive.
What makes you feel alive?
What lights up your soul so bright that you shine with beauty for all to see?
Do more of that.
Do more of that.
Choose yourself first.
You've been made to feel shame.
Shame for your decisions,
Your experiences,
Your sexuality,
Your body,
Your failures.
Grab hold of the shame.
Instead,
Offer yourself compassion,
Forgiveness,
Healing,
Love.
Choose yourself first.
Take a deep breath.
Feel into your body.
Into the legs that carry you each day.
The heart that guides you.
The soul that nourishes you.
The soul that nourishes you.
This is all yours.
You can decide what you get to do with it.
You can decide where your body takes you during your journey on this magical earth.
You can decide to choose yourself first.
Believe in yourself.
Believe in your dream,
Your idea,
Your goal.
Believe you are worthy of everything that you desire.
You don't need to be perfect or wait for the perfect time.
You are not bad or evil if your choices are different from others.
You know what you are.
Your choices are different from others.
You know where your heart wants to go.
Let it guide you in your one beautiful life.
Choose yourself first.
