Who Will You Love First?

The comedian, Ricky Smiley, once told a joke about being UGLY. He said that that UGLY stood for you gotta love yourself. Being that today is my birthday, I am more convinced that you really do have to love yourself. If you don’t love yourself, you will end up treating everyone ugly, looking ugly, talking ugly…all because you have not chosen to be content with you and love yourself. Loving yourself is the core of self esteem. Loving yourself is the fuel that you need to love others. How many people in this world live off of their own insecurities and odd feelings about the inner and outer person called “me?” Don’t you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made? God designed you to be YOU and no one else!

THE INSIDE ME

As I get older, I am growing to love the inside me more and more. There was a time in my life when I harbored all of the gifts, talents, thoughts, solutions and resolutions on the inside. I won’t say that I had a bad case of low self esteem, but I didn’t take all of the liberties afforded me to exhibit all that I could as a person. Today, I realize that I am the only person who suffered from those choices. Now, I love the inside me. The inside me is smart, near brilliant, witty, compassionate, loving and full of “I can do all things through Christ.” Oh no, the inside me is not perfect, but I have surrounded myself with quality convictions that keep me in check.

THE OUTSIDE ME

I love the outside me. I love the outside me so much that I am doing my best to take care of it. I exercise when possible and try to make better dietary decisions. It’s not about how you look physically if the outside me is suffering with hidden cares that you can control. Yes, I love the outside me. I do my best to stay groomed. I have some things to work on, but the outside me is okay.

As I celebrate my birthday, I challenge you to check the inside me and the outside me that lies in you. Make sure you love both parts of yourself. Make sure you do all you can for the benefit of the inside and outside you. Your body, heart and soul will thank you for it later. Introduce the inside me to the outside me and let them become acquainted. They do work hand in hand. Your inner thoughts about yourself affect the outer you.

So many people have low self esteem. Sometimes, they are in denial over how they really feel about themselves and it shows up in personality conflicts, poor spending habits and endless emotional journeys. Love God. Love yourself. Love others as He has commanded. You’re beautiful on the inside and the out. When you love yourself, others will see it and respect you for it. It’s a simple thought, but someone needs to hear it. There is great value in you my sister and my brother.

Enjoy these tunes:

Beautiful, Amber Riley, Glee Cast (Please watch the entire clip!)

Look at Me, Jenifer Lewis, Jackie Washington (For fun...hee hee), Jackie's Back

The Greatest Love of All, Whitney Houston

A Little QT(quality time) with my cutie.

I was at home this evening while my wife and son took early naps. This was a good time for me to work on an event for married couples. Just the night before, I spoke with one of my ministry colleagues about this event. We both expressed our excitement for this married couples gathering. We rejoiced in the wonderful response from those invited and knew that this event would be great. I was assigned to put the prelude music together. I have many CDs, but they are stored away, so iTunes became my source for the specific music that I wanted. After I gathered the music of my choice, I began to listen to my play list and the love began to fill my heart. I began to sing and dance because I was really feeling lovey dovey at the time. As I listened, I began to make dinner – tilapia, rice, and corn. The aforementioned was my wife’s requests, so I tried to oblige. Soon after I finished, they woke up, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of just feeling love in the house, in the air, just love! On the eve of this 2-night marriage event, I could feel that something good was about to occur.

After dinner, we retired upstairs. My son was very active, so we stretched out on opposite sides of the bed and put him between us. For the next two hours, we talked, we laughed and we shared. There was no sound of phones, no television and no Internet. We were engaged in quality time at its best. My son, Elijah, ran from one end of the bed to the next, hugging, kissing and blowing air on our cheeks. We played with him, tickled him, made him laugh and engaged him in conversation, even though he is only saying a few words. It was truly a priceless moment. The love that I felt earlier for my wife and son was manifested through our time of intimacy with each other. I don’t think I will ever forget that moment. While we always talk about our day, this was a different kind of time spent together. It was reaffirming. I laid across the bed and looked at her, looked at him, and the one in the oven. Yes, the one in the oven. Immediately, my heart renewed its love and commitment for the gifts God had given me.

Intimacy is not just sex. It is not just for married couples, but it is quality time that you spend with those that you love. It is taking the time to show and share that you care and you are interested in what the other is saying, thinking and feeling. Take some time out and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Cut everything off, sit and talk. Cuddle. Hug. Dream. Open up. Share. Cry. Get giddy. Sing. Dance. Discover. Reinvent. Affirm. Build. Resolute. Conclude. Most of all, become intimate with those you love. When it’s all over, knowing that your loved ones know that you love them through your actions is one of the most precious gifts you can give someone.

I thought I would share the play list with you just in case you want to share the love with those you love. The list is below and the You Tube clips proceed. Enjoy the Q.T.

“Close to You” – Bebe and Cece Winans

“Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year) – Anita Baker

“You Are” – Lionel Ritchie

“Inseparable” – Natalie Cole

“I Found Love” – Bebe & Cece Winans

“You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” – Barry White

“Love of My Life” – Bebe & Cece Winans

“My Love, Sweet Love” – Patti Labelle

“Giving You the Best that I Got” – Anita Baker

“If Anything Ever Happened to You” – Bebe & Cece Winans

“Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” – Gladys Knight

“So High” – John Legend

“Spend My Life With You” – Eric Benet & Tamia

“Cherish” – Kool & the Gang

“Endless Love” – Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross