WEEKEND VIBES WITH RIVER ISLAND

CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR DIRECT OUTFIT DETAILS

CROCHET JACKET- RIVER ISLAND || IVORY CAMI (UNDER $22)- RIVER ISLAND || DENIM SHORTS (SIZE UP ONE SIZE) || FAVORITE STRAW HAT (UNDER $45) ||ESPEDRILLE TENNIES (RUN TTS) ||RAYBAN DUPES

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Well, hello and goodbye to another weekend!! Hope that you all had a wonderful time enjoying the family and relaxing a little. We had a few things planned so it made the days fly by too quickly. Here is a throwback outfit to last weekend in Dallas. I’m guilty of wearing jean shorts daily so it was fun to add a funky, open-front jacket from RIVER ISLAND over my tank. My tank is also from RIVER ISLAND. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a UK 8.

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If you followed my IG stories, you would have watched some of the events and moments that we experienced. One of those moments was that I experienced a not-so-sweet comment on a video that I posted. HMM!! I had a get behind-me-Satan moment. The comment just slightly jabbed at my speech which is an insecurity of mine especially when I have to speak on a video that is going on the internet. YES, I have some those weak, insecure moments. When words of criticism come at me, my insides tell me to retreat and hide.

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Y’all, it immediately stung my heart. My heart then started to pound loud and fast. The wild feelings were comparable to the response of rage that I get when I stub my toe really hard on the dresser. I took a deep breath and told myself to see beyond the words spoken {written}. Grace had to kick in.

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Grace says hurt people hurt people.

Grace says it’s an opportunity to GROW when someone hurts your feelings.

 Grace says shake it off and forgive!!

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So, it made me dig deep and reevaluate the situation.  First, the face behind those words is either a wounded soul or just someone without tact. And, I vote that it’s just a wounded soul who is full of insecurities which fuels the criticism. Secondly, why is this affecting me so bad????

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It reminded me of my boys. When they are battling with their self worth or self love {insecurities are flying high}, they tend to tell each the most hateful things. It makes my heart ache and my blood boil. I have to teach one to see the face behind those words so they can walk in grace. And, I have to teach the other one that “YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. SOMEONE’S WORDS SHOULD NEVER HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DEFINE YOU.”.  I teach them to have grace to forgive and grace to grow from the situation. Easier said than done, right?!!!

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“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”

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“The trouble with most of us is that we’d rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”

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So, criticism seems to not be necessary, but at seasons of our life, it can be very necessary and beneficial if we choose to see what it exposes. It usually exposes some insecurities that are still creeping around and holding us down. So, can we turn the criticism into something good?? YES!!!!! We can say “I may not be perfect, I have room to improve, and I won’t let someone else’s words make me retreat. God, how can I learn from this???!!”. Well, that is the route that I chose and will continue to choose. I encourage you to do the same!! xoxo

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Okay, that is my weekend recap!! HA!! It had way more good than negative. But, another area that I am maturing in is learning how to take criticism so why not share. Right?!!

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P.S. Thanks to all of the kind words and messages. Y’all made my heart burst!!!

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CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR DIRECT OUTFIT DETAILS

CROCHET JACKET- RIVER ISLAND || IVORY CAMI (UNDER $22)- RIVER ISLAND || DENIM SHORTS (SIZE UP ONE SIZE) || FAVORITE STRAW HAT (UNDER $45) ||ESPEDRILLE TENNIES (RUN TTS) ||RAYBAN DUPES

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Thanks to RIVER ISLAND for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

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