Tag Archives: self love

“Let the Good Times Roll!”

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Yesterday marked Mardi Gras, a day of celebration on the eve of Lent, which is the 40 days (excluding Sundays) proceeding Easter. Today, the first day of Lent, is known as Ash Wednesday. As I embrace my Cajun heritage, it sparked my interest to research these practices.

Some common traditions of Mardi Gras include parades with extravagant floats and marching bands, wearing colored beaded necklaces (mostly in the Mardi Gras colors of gold, green, and purple), and eating a delicious icing and sprinkle-topped pastry called king cake. Per tradition, one slice of the king cake is to hide a small, usually plastic, figure of a baby to represent baby Jesus. The rule then is that whoever receives this slice must provide the king cake at next year’s gathering.

Mardi Gras, translating to “Fat Tuesday”, is a French term that historically describes a day of feasts and festivals. This is the last day that it is acceptable to binge “fat” foods before entering a period of fasting and reflection known as Lent. These celebrations have extended from the streets of Louisiana to across the map. The festivities are adorned with the colors gold, purple, and green. Each color has its own significance to the true meaning of this day. Gold represents power, green symbolizes faith, while purple stands for justice.

In truth, there is far more to this tradition than beaded necklaces, parades, and king cake. If you are Christian, particularly Catholic, then you are probably familiar with the idea that you are to give up eating red meat on Ash Wednesday and on every Friday during Lent. You also give up something extra of your choosing, to commemorate the 40-day fasting Jesus endured. But, this period of self-reflection does not have to be solely for Christians. Any time someone carves out time for self-reflecting and setting aside their vices it is commendable. We are able to take back control of our life in areas we may have lost grip. It is a vow to not give in to temptations and a reminder to be thankful. Becoming in tune with oneself allows you to clear your mindset and strengthen your spirit. This is a practice that, as of recent, I have chosen to embrace. Everyone can benefit from introspection and humble gratitude.

With this year’s Mardi Gras and Lenten season, join me in letting go. Devote your days to making sacrifices. Set about challenges with resolution and determination. No longer give certain things the ability to impede on your happiness. Don’t waste your selfless energy on those unworthy of such. Surround yourself only with people whose efforts match your own and whose actions speak louder than words. But above all, choose yourself. Take this time for yourself to reach internal peace and harmony.

I will sign off by reciting a common Cajun phrase: “laissez les bons temps rouler!” It is commonly used to announce that the festivities have begun, therefore proceed with all that is going well. This saying, declaring to have fun and live life to the fullest, means “let the good times roll!”

To All the Boys I’ve Never Loved Before

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I have never caught the eye of any person. I have nothing to base the feeling of young, all-consuming bliss that comes with the spark of a first kiss, a first love. I never experienced those short-lived middle school relationships or found my high school sweetheart. Nothing more than childhood crushes that you draw a heart next to their name in the yearbook and declare to someday marry. So, with a hopeful heart that still patiently awaits love, here I am to reveal all my hopes, dreams, and fears to my future forever.

Since I was a young girl I’ve been a sap for that fairytale type of love. I wanted to be like the princesses I’d watch in movies, and have my own prince. I yearned for a dramatic Romeo and Juliet-esque love story, or the cliche love story from some of my favorite cheesy films like Titanic or The Notebook. I’ll admit, I’m a hopeless romantic.

I’ve always loved the concept of love, in all its beauty, despite its obstacles. In fact, seeing how wrongly love can abuse a person, only drew me to want it more, hoping maybe just maybe it would work out for me. With me, jealousy or the thought of searching for another should never exist. The heart can only break so many times before there’s nothing left to fix, so I will first say, don’t make the mistake of losing me.

With a mold like mine, of course I’ve had my doubts that I’ll ever find the one. These doubts will follow me even once I get to you. I will need you to assure me, every chance you get, the extent of your feelings for me. Every now and then, reassure me of my worth.

I’m attentive and considerate, as you should be too. I won’t often openly share my feelings. No matter what I’m truly feeling inside, I’ll always don a smile. You’ll just have to know when I’m happy or sad. And although I may sound like a hypocrite, one thing you’ll never have to question, one thing that will never need reassurance, is my love for you. Yes I can be shy, but when content, I’ll vulnerably spill my whole heart on the table. I wear my heart on my sleeve, ready to either be handled with care or left damaged.

It’s the little things that satisfy me, so here’s a few things to take note of: First and foremost, if we don’t share the same taste in music, there’s no chance for us. Music will forever speak to my soul, and with me liking an array of genres, you’ll need to be prepared to endure multiple instances of my loud, off-key attempts at singing.

I like to laugh. My happiest moments are experienced with laughter. So if you can’t make me laugh, you’re one strike away from losing your chance with me. I absolutely hate getting scared. I just can’t fathom the idea that anyone would enjoy their bones nearly jumping out of their skin, so take this as a warning. If you say you want to protect me from harm’s way, you will be highly appreciated as my designated bug killer.

I can be stubborn. In an argument, chances of winning are low for you. But, if you’ve messed up, you can attempt to earn your way back into my heart with a nice evening dinner. Or maybe you’ll be forgiven if you come bearing a bouquet of roses, which are my favorite, and not just because they are a symbol of love. If you fail to do this, then you can always be replaced by chocolate, which I like to think is always there for a girl when her heart has been broken, and will never upset her. The only thing better would be a puppy, which could also easily fill an empty spot in one’s heart.

I’ll never beg for a connection. Perhaps this is why I’ve yet to be with someone. I’d like to think that I’ve got a lot of love to give, but here’s a message to all the boys I’ve never loved before: If my wishes are too much, then kindly move along. I have no problem waiting for the right one and until then, I am embracing that true love begins with loving oneself first.

~ Sincerely, Faith