Love Yourself

photo by Dee Hill

"You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world,

and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches."

-Dita Von Teese

I love this quote.

You should never sacrifice who you truly are for the sake of pleasing others.  At the end of the day, there will always be someone who doesn't like you - even Dita Von Tease.  Wouldn't it be better to let go of everything holding you back and find out who your real friends are?

You know the people I'm talking about. The ones in your life who love you inside and out. The ones you can be absolutely ridiculously silly and childlike with?  The friends you can share your deepest, darkest desires with and they still wanna break off a piece of that?  The lover that holds no bars...  That's what I desire.

I think it takes a certain breaking point in our lives to feel comfortable with letting go of the boundaries that society, religion, and our parents think are "proper".  I am 29 years old and I just set myself free a couple of years ago.  Who I am is who I always wanted to be - down to the core.

Art.  Dancing.  Singing.  Fishnets. Feathers. Lingerie.

Sexual Expression. Sensuality. Burlesque. Love.

Who says that society knows what is good or bad?  After all, don't we make up society?  We can shape our world and by example, show others that everyone can be loved and accepted - no matter what.  It all starts with loving yourself.  The real you.  Have no shame in self expression.  You see, in order to open minds, we must first love ourselves.  Wear our guts and glory fully on the outside.  Show your heart, emotion, vulnerability...  "Wear your heart on your sleeve."  Its only after we truly love ourselves, we can love one another.

We must love EVERYONE.

Regardless if they hate you.  No matter if they are a different race, ethnic background, religion, rich, poor, crazy, or what.  When you can show love for yourself and others, you are in control of who you are surrounded with and you attract people of like minds - your true soul mates.  

I am so happy that my life is filled with all the things I love and suppressed all those years. I am with an amazing man who treats me like a goddess and loves all my facets.  I am blessed with the best friends a girl could ask for.  These people accept all those crazy, funny, dirty, ridiculous thoughts I have.

You know the best part?  I can wear all those things like a badge.  No holding back.

Here's to YOU!