Share What Makes Your Heart Smile

Hello beautiful!

I hope you are having a magical day!

As I write this I can see thousands of young dragonflies zooming around the freshly green leaves of the trees. Birds are singing, grass is growing, and the lakes have melted into beautiful, flowing water again.

This is me, celebrating the return of the flowing water in the lake.

After the longest, coldest winter I have ever experienced, nature is alive again. And after spending five months surrounded by ice and snow, I feel like I am witnessing spring for the first time.

Not too long ago, the ground was frozen, trees were bare, and everything was still, silent.

Now, the earth is alive, trees are flourishing, and everything has been reborn. Buzzing, blooming, shining, spring has sprung and the time for new beginnings is here.

Spending time in nature makes me realise that miracles occur everyday. It’s mesmerizing, isn’t it?

One of my favourite parts about spring here in Daqing, is the amazing flowers that have been popping up everywhere.

Realising that most of the trees I’ve been walking past during the past ten months are actually cherry blossoms has been a magnificent surprise! I had no idea they grew here, but they are absolutely gorgeous!

I can even see some in the garden under neath my window, so I will definitely be having the window open more now that the sweet smell of cherry blossom will be flowing around.

Here are a few photos I took (there are more on the Facebook page):

Cherry blossoms definitely make my heart smile!

Which brings us to today’s Link Love Friday theme! Yep, now that 30 Days Of Beauty has finished, Link Love Friday is back!

This week, head over to the My Smiling Heart Facebook page, and share a photo of something that makes your heart smile. It can be anything! Nature, books, food, people, artwork, – anything that makes your heart smile!

If everyone shares a photo or two, then there will be a super-mega-happy-awesome album on the My Smiling Heart Facebook page made up of everything that makes our hearts smile! What a great resource it will be for those times when we aren’t feeling that great.

I look forward to seeing your photos!

So much LOVE!

Jen ♥

30 Days Of Beauty: Week 4!

via Pinterest

“Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line.”

~ Lucille Ball

This, to me, is the ultimate truth. It’s what it all comes down to, and what everything is built upon. Fall in love with yourself.

Sometimes, I forget this. I was feeling a bit down yesterday, and realised that I had forgotten to love myself. This started me thinking about all the other things I sometimes forget, so I wrote a list.

As you all probably know by now, I prefer to focus on the positives. And this list looked too much like a list of negative affirmations, so I crossed out the ‘forget’s and added ‘remember’, to focus on what I do want and encourage myself to remember these things more often.

Sometimes, I remember how AWESOME I really am.

I remember how beautiful I am, inside and out.

I remember that comparing myself to others only leads to insecurity and disappointment.

I remember what makes me happy, and I remember what I define as success.

I remember how blessed I am, and how much I have to be thankful for every single day.

I remember to recognise how far I have come, and how much I have achieved.

I remember that the little voice in my head is the ego, not love.

I remember that it doesn’t matter what other people think about me, it only matters what I think about me.

I remember to look at the good things in my life.

I remember that I am enough, just as I am.

I remember that I am a Goddess.

I remember that I am connected to everything in this Universe, that the beauty I see in the world is also within me.

I remember that obstacles and doubt can be overcome.

I remember that I am capable of achieving my dreams.

I remember to dream.

I remember to smile.

I remember to take care of myself.

I remember to breathe.

I remember to dance like no-one’s watching.

I remember to let go of guilt for doing what I love.

I remember that people are out to help me, not get me.

I remember that a bad hair day or a blemish is natural, not imperfect.

I remember that magazines, media and advertising aren’t real, but I am.

I remember that my thoughts create my life.

I remember that every moment is an opportunity to change what isn’t working, and be grateful for what is.

I remember that the dark parts of myself aren’t meant to be ignored, but embraced as part of my whole.

I remember that everyone is doing the best that they can.

I remember that I am doing the best that I can.

I remember that the good times are meant to be celebrated, and the hard times are meant to be learned from.

I want to remember these things every day. This is my continuous journey to having a never-ending supply of self-love.

Well, it’s the last week of 30 Days Of Beauty. What an amazing experience this has been! My mind has been blown by all the support and encourage we have received during these passed 30 days, and I am so grateful.

My self-worth has improved, and I feel pretty good to know that I can list 30 reasons why I’m beautiful whenever I want to. And then go on to list 30 more.

I can’t believe 30 Days Of Beauty is almost over. But I am so proud to be a part of it.

And the best part is; this week we reached our fundraising goal! We raised $300 for To Write Love On Her Arms! Yay! 😀 Thank you so much to everyone who donated, you are a beautiful force of good in this world.

Here are my #imbeautifulbecause tweets from this week:

April 23^rd: #imbeautifulbecause I trust my intuition, no matter what.

April 24^th: #imbeautifulbecause my heart is open to all the good things coming my way.

April 25^th: #imbeautifulbecause I treat others the way I wish to be treated, with kindness, acceptance, love and a smile 🙂

April 26^th: #imbeautifulbecause I know what my body needs and deserves. I give myself time to rest and refuel, even when all I want to do is work.

April 27^th: #imbeautifulbecause I am on a never-ending journey of self-love and self-improvement. I am always better than I used to be.

April 28^th: #imbeautifulbecause I trust myself, I trust the Universe, and I know that I am exactly where I need to be.

April 29^th: #imbeautifulbecause I am brave enough to be vulnerable.

Here are some of my favourite tweets from you this week:

@frangepanni #imbeautifulbecause no matter how much I wanna give up and no matter how much my mind tells myself I can’t – I’m still gonna do it! #faith

@A_Writing_Mom #imbeautifulbecause I see myself as beautiful ❤

@jenfromal #imbeautifulbecause I give in to full-out, crazy dance urges at least once a day. I have moves.

@SparklinTraci #Imbeautifulbecause I give myself permission to not have to be perfect, but to be the best me I can be.

@Zanthi #imbeautifulbecause I am learning to dance in the rain more often.

Thank you for making this world a more beautiful place.           

I’m off to watch the Royal Wedding and blubber like a baby!

Double rainbows and lotus flowers,

Jen ♥

30 Days Of Beauty: Week 3

via Pinterest

“I want to know if you can see beauty

even when it’s not pretty,

every day, and if you can source your

own life from its presence.”

~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Hello beautiful!

Are you seeing beauty everywhere?

Do you see it in the simplest of things, from your head to your toes?

Do you see it in things that were always right under your nose?

I see beauty. I see it in me, in you, in the world.

It’s always there, patiently waiting for that moment, the one in which you pause long enough to see it sparkle, and to recognise that same sparkle within yourself.

Here’s what I know for sure. All the beauty you see in the world, is also in you.

If your breath is taken away by a flower, a cool breeze, a warm sunset, the sparkle of the ocean, then all of that beauty and magic is in you, too. It’s who you are.

Believe it.

Here are all the reasons why I’m beautiful this week:

April 16^th: #imbeautifulbecause I believe in love, dreams, and myself.

April 17^th: #imbeautifulbecause I wear as many colours as possible so I can always feel like I’m a rainbow 🙂

April 18^th: #imbeautifulbecause I am doing the best that I can, and I know that’s enough.

April 19^th: #imbeautifulbecause I don’t believe in failure, just lessons learned.

April 20^th: #imbeautifulbecause I snort when I laugh 🙂 It’s pretty cute/hysterical 😛

April 21^st: #imbeautifulbecause I’ll never really be a ‘grown-up’. I’m always the first one to the swing set 🙂

April 22^nd: #imbeautifulbecause I don’t follow the trends; I follow my heart.

And here are my favourite tweets from all you wonderful souls:

@jessica_morrow #imbeautifulbecause I am a woman to be reckoned with!

@IncaMaia #imbeautifulbecause I am realising my worth, and getting braver in proclaiming it and standing for it.

@SparklinTraci #imbeautifulbecause I see the positive in what I do & I feel good about what is at hand. I try my very best & I smile.

@jenfromal #imbeautifulbecause I’m sitting in the trade winds with a glass (or three) of wine thoroughly enjoying my life.

@BonnieHenna #imbeautifulbecause I give without fear of lacking !

@Becca_Lewis_MI #imbeautifulbecause i am always on the look for the positive!

@Zanthi #imbeautifulbecause I wake up every morning knowing something wonderful is going to happen and make me smile

@VTurnerArt #imbeautifulbecause I’m not afraid to live with passion.

Thank you so much, ladies, for sharing your beauty with the world.

Another big thank you to all the absolutely amazing women who contributed to the 30 Days Of Beauty group post! I am still blown away by your beauty, wisdom and love, and I will always feel honoured to be in your company.

And the icing on this rainbow cake of AWESOMENESS, we are only $40 away from reaching our fundraising goal for To Write Love On Her Arms! Yay! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, you are supporting an amazing cause.

Double rainbows and flutterbys,

Jen ♥

Wise Words: Putting the YOU in beaYOUtiful

via tree of life

What does beauty mean to you? Where is it found?

Is it in the face, the smile, the eyes? Or is it the personality, the humour, the kindness, the courage? Or is it all of that and so much more?

When I think of beauty, I see strength, courage, wisdom, and authenticity. I see a woman who loves herself unconditionally, believes in her dreams, and creates her own path in life. I see a woman who smiles with her heart.

To celebrate 30 Days Of Beauty, I asked some of the most beautiful women I know to write about what makes them beautiful, by answering one question:

What puts the YOU in beaYOUtiful?

I am very excited and honoured to be able to bring you this post today. There is so much beauty and wisdom here, and all my gratitude goes to all the amazing women who shared their beauty so authentically and openly.

Here’s what these amazing women had to say:

Amanda | Kind Over Matter | @kindovermatter

I am beautiful because I’m silly, laugh a lot, breakout in dance at least 5 times a day & teach my children what Joy is by example. I am beautiful because I am doing what I love & encouraging others that they can do the same.  I’ve got a few businesses under my belt that did make it off the ground but they didn’t fly for very long. Even after those failings (lessons), I didn’t give up. I stitched up my wings, let them heal & took off again, creating something that brings people together in a positive & loving way. I created something that constitutes as heartwork & also provides for my family. I am beautiful because I believe in everybody.  I believe that you can overcome most anything & ride the wind smiling, in the flight pattern of your choice, no matter how heavy your baggage is. I am beautiful because I trust & believe in the potency of love.

Brianne | I Want Her Job | @iwantherjob

What makes me beautiful?

If you would have asked me this question in high school, I would have said my eyes. If you would have asked me in college, I would have said my drive. And asking myself this question now, I have a completely different answer. (Of course!)

It’s my light.

There are so many facets of a person that can make them beautiful. It can be your smile, your heart, your kind eyes, your humor … But I feel our personalities are like a river. We’re always moving, sometimes changing direction, at times rising (and falling), but at the end of it we are always there. We have the force, over time, to change rocks and the ability to carry others.

But most importantly, we sparkle in the light. We become a brighter, more inviting version of ourselves. Just like a river, it’s when people are drawn to us the most.

So next time you’re feeling down, and not-so-beautiful, remember: We always have beauty within us, but it’s our light that can change the appearance of everything around us.

Cinda | ROAR! With Cinda | ROAR! Facebook

I believe there are two of us within each of us. There is our Human side, which the world sees. It represents our physical experience. It is packed full of emotions, passions, hunger, dreams, and competition. A body and a mind designed to make mistakes, to learn, to grow. It is where anger, vanity, sadness, hopelessness resides.

The other side is our Spirit side. This is where pure joy and love resides. The laughter, the songs, the energy that lights up a room. It is the magnet that draws people in. The love of mother and child and best friends. Our Spirit side is our truth, our extreme knowledge and wisdom of all that is. It is forgiveness and peace. It is who we really are – the very essence of our Being.

I am BeaYOUtiful because I am aware that my Spirit side is alive within me, ALWAYS. When I tap into my Spirit, I tap into an energy of love source more powerful and more important than me, because it is connected to YOU.

Dani | Positively Present | @positivepresent

For me, being beautiful is about being in love with the person you are. Self-love and self-acceptance are the two most important things when it comes to true beauty. The more you love yourself — the more beauty you possess, both inside and out.

What makes me beautiful is the fact that I accept who and what I am and do what I can to focus on the positive aspects of me. Dwelling on the negative only brings you down. Focus on what you love about yourself and your true beauty will always shine through!

Jenn | Roots Of She | @rootsofshe

Most people don’t think of beauty when they’re hot and sweaty, but I do. I’m a yogi, I practice Baptiste yoga, which is vinyasa yoga done in a 95-100 degree room. I’m slick with sweat by the time we’re ten minutes in and feeling so very powerful. It’s hard and I try so hard, this is what makes me beautiful.

How often when something is hard or it hurts do we stop? We shy away from the discomfort, we take the easier path.

For me, the motivating factor is always fear, I’m afraid it’ll hurt, I’m afraid that I can’t do it.

I’m afraid of what it will mean if I can do it.

That’s the one that always trips me up, I’m afraid of what it will mean if I actually can do it.

When you work towards something, even when it hurts, even if you’re scared, that’s such a lovely thing.

I’m beautiful because I like to ignore the voice that starts sentences with “I’m afraid…”

I’m beautiful because every time I say yes to trying, I’m saying no to self-doubt.

I’m beautiful because I choose to live with a fearless heart.

Karen | A Peaceful Path | A Peaceful Path Facebook

The other day I was giving some unrequested “sage mother” advice to my daughter – that kindness is the most important quality in life. When you think about it, what situation is not made better by kindness?

I think of kindness as that gentleness that allows others their own space, their own lives and frees me from judgment. It’s the choice to look for the best intentionally.

It’s coming from the soft space inside that opens to kindness like a rose opening to the sun.

I know my beauty is in my kindness, in the gentleness of my spirit, in my choice to embrace the best.

This is when I am beautiful.

Leonie | Goddess Guidebook | @GoddessLeonie

Liv | Choosing Beauty | @ChoosingBeauty

The beauty industry has most people convinced that if we don’t use special creams and pricey injections to ward off the aging process, we could all shrivel up like raisins in the blink of an eye. But I think those who say “beauty is only skin deep” are wrong.

Natural, ageless beauty is actually soul deep. We age from the inside out, not the outside in. Science has proven that people who are genuinely happy live longer, more fulfilling lives.

To boost my own happiness, I have learned to appreciate the beauty and blessings in each day – even the hard ones. In fact, I think I’ve become so good at celebrating the beauty surrounding me that it’s translated into seeing the beauty in me. Every laugh line has become a badge of honor, every gray hair a treasured souvenir from this journey I’m on. Each morning, I wake up to the ultimate gift: another 24 hours to live this beautiful life. Turns out the Fountain of Youth is right there in my own backyard.

Lori | Tiny Buddha | @tinybuddha

I believe my vulnerability makes me beautiful.

Throughout my life, I have spent a lot of time obsessing over the things I felt were wrong with me. I never felt pretty enough, thin enough, smart enough, talented enough, or good enough in general. Everything I did was an attempt to make people like me.

One day I realized that this pursuit of other people’s approval was precisely what hindered me from earning my own. My neediness and desperation made it hard to respect myself, and at the end of the day, that’s what I really wanted.

I wanted to believe that I could put my head on my pillow at night knowing I am a good, valuable person and I deserve the peace of mind that only I can give me.

I wanted to love myself, knowing fully that I have darkness and light within me—that I have strengths and weaknesses, struggles and successes. I wanted to accept my humanity, even while growing and improving a little every day.

And I wanted to authentically share myself to hopefully help other people do the same. That I am willing to be seen in good days and bad, in strength and vulnerability, makes me feel both proud and beautiful.

Tess | The Bold Life | @theboldlife

I feel beautiful

I feel beautiful as I listen to the whispers of my heart,

slow down, breathe deeply, savoring all of life.

In this moment nothing else exists

but the beauty of everything, everywhere.

I feel beautiful when I understand my purpose,

my desire to create, to serve, to do something

for me, for you, for all of humanity, for now, forever,

empowered by the light that lies within us all.

I feel beautiful when I quiet my mind and

as a peacemaker, I behold a compassionate vision

for millions and billions and trillions

stretching to infinity and limitless horizons.

I feel beautiful when we are connected heart-to-heart.

I see your soul through the window of my eyes.

I sense your joy, I see your delight,

engulfed in the magnificence of now and always.

I feel beautiful when I reflect your

inherent beauty and goodness

and emerge with you into ‘I Am’

lost in the dance, experiencing the extraordinary,

knowing that we never walk alone.

Come as you are to the bounty of love.

We are in full blossom now, we are infinite.

Deep into our souls we travel,

A radical and social transformation,

spinning together on our illusionary planet.

May we all feel beautiful.

via Pinterest

Now that you have read about what makes these women beautiful, we pass the talking stick to you.

Leave a comment answering this question:

What puts the YOU in beaYOUtiful?

Thanks to you, with 11 days left of the 30 Days Of Beauty Challenge, we have raised $220 for To Write Love On Her Arms! We are SO close to our goal of $300! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and shared the love with others! You ROCK!

Shine Your Light,

Jen ♥

30 Days Of Beauty: Week 2

“I pull you from your tower, take away your pain. Show you all the beauty you possess, if you only let yourself believe.”

~ Sarah McLachlan

Week 2 of 30 Days Of Beauty has been much easier than Week 1. Not only is it getting easier for me to list reasons why I’m beautiful, but now I look for beauty in myself in every situation, every experience, every thought I have.

My mind has been opened up to beauty, and now I see it everywhere.

It really is true; what you think about, you bring about. You get more of what you focus on. And the more I focus on the things that make me beautiful, the more beautiful I become.

I can’t believe I didn’t realise this until now, but each #imbeautifulbecause tweet is an affirmation. An affirmation of our own beauty, our own self-worth, and each affirmation opens us up to the magical, powerful, wonderful women that we really are.

I know there are women out there who have been following 30 Days Of Beauty, but haven’t been sharing their own beauty with the world. Maybe you’re one of these precious women, unsure of your beauty, unsure of your worth, unsure of yourself.

Maybe you’re worried that you won’t find any beauty in yourself, or that you will run out of reasons to feel beautiful before the 30 Days is up. I can tell you that your fears and worries are unfounded, just as mine were.

Give yourself a chance to see your own beauty.

Let your light shine.

My tweets for this week were:

April 9^th: #imbeautifulbecause I am courageous. #LoveIsLouder than my fears.

April 10^th: #Imbeautifulbecause I never stop believing in my dreams.

April 11^th: #imbeautifulbecause I’m learning to let my light shine. I won’t hide in the shadows anymore.

April 12^th: #imbeautifulbecause I count blessings, not burdens.

April 13^th: #imbeautifulbecause I’m working hard to make my soul purpose my sole focus.

April 14^th: I embrace my imperfections with love, and see them as a part of my own AWESOMENESS #imbeautifulbecause

April 15^th: #imbeautifulbecause I am getting SO good at remembering that how others act is their choice, and how I act/react is completely up to me 🙂

My favourite #imbeautifulbecause tweets for this week were:

@amandakloeppel  #imbeautifulbecause I am learning that its not what I wear that defines me, but who I am on the inside.

@decodingdress #imbeautifulbecause I know I’m beautiful — I don’t need any external standard to tell me so.

@ClaireLaraine #imbeautifulbecause choices are mine and the answers lie within me.

@SparklinTraci #imbeautifulbecause I see the beauty around me and in me… ♡

@frangepanni #imbeautifulbecause – just because. No reason needed, no reason given. We are all beautiful because we are 😀

@MollyyyAnnn #imbeautifulbecause i can find the good in others, accept and not judge, and love imperfections

@ChelseaKouns #imbeautifulbecause I’m unique. I want to stand out, not fit in. And I won’t let anything change that. I’m petite and I rock it out. ;]

@sherryahovey #imbeautifulbecause God made me beautiful and my scars make me unique.

@kay_ruth #imbeautifulbecause I’m not perfect…and, have no desire to be…:)

@marisalehmann #imbeautifulbecause I have so many people cheering for me and encouraging me on, telling me that I will get through this. #yourebeautiful

Thank you for sharing your beauty with the world,

Jen ♥

Wise Words: Because I Am A Queen

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you’ll know that I adore India Arie and her positive, self-loving, soulful music and lyrics. Her songs never fail to lift me up and make me feel as magical and wonderful as a fairy riding a unicorn over a double rainbow 🙂

In the spirit of 30 Days Of Beauty, I would like to share with you one of my favourite songs in the history of the Universe; ‘Video’ (also known as ‘Because I Am A Queen’), by India Arie.

Enjoy the tunes, feel the love and use the lyrics below to sing your heart out!

To watch the music video for this song (which won’t play here), click here.

“Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I’m not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it’s supposed to be
And I know my creator didn’t make no mistakes on me
My feet my thighs my lips my eyes I’m loving what I see

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen (yeah)
I’m not the average girl from your video (woo)
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie

Am I less of a lady if I don’t wear pantyhose
My mama said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows
But I’ve drawn the conclusion
It’s all an illusion
Confusion’s the name of the game
A misconception a vast deception,
Something’s got to change

Don’t be offended this is all my opinion
Ain’t nothing that I’m saying law
This is a true confession
Of a life-learned lesson
I was sent here to share with y’all
So get in when you fit in
Go on and shine
Clear your mind
Now’s the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself (love yourself)
‘Cause everything’s gonna be alright (love yourself)

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen (yeah)
I’m not the average girl from your video (woo)
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie

Keep your fancy drink and your expensive minks
I don’t need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive cars
And your caviar
All’s I need is my guitar
Keep your cristal and your pistol
I’d rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don’t need your silicone
I prefer my own
What god gave me is just fine
(Oh hah hah hah)

I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen (yeah)
I’m not the average girl from your video (woo)
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
The india arie”

Stay beaYOUtiful,

Jen ♥

Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/i/india_arie/#share

30 Days Of Beauty: Week 1

“We are all fascinated by beauty and many of us devote much of our lives to its pursuit. But physical beauty can only ever be held fleetingly. Real beauty is far greater – It’s a life force, an energy, which radiates from within and transcends the physical. It’s a vibe – you feel it in those who truly know they have it. Real beauty is not beauty generated purely for others’ consumption. Real beauty is beauty in action, not beauty that sits on the sidelines of life, worried it will run or get messed up. Real beauty may not always be visible at first glance, but it lasts forever.”

~ Anthea Paul

Hello beautiful!

Well, the 30 Days Of Beauty Challenge has been spreading self-love for a week now, and I am absolutely amazed at the response!

In less than a week, $90 has been raised for To Write Love On Her Arms. To everyone who has donated, thank you. So, so much. You have helped an amazing cause, and you are a force of good in this world.

To everyone who has shared this campaign on their blogs, twitter, facebook, and told their friends about what we are doing, thank you! Your support means more to us than you will ever know.

The first week of 30 Days Of Beauty has been more challenging than I expected. As Jen Fromal said in her post on The Smashed Planet;

“This was one of those times when I didn’t really know what I was getting into. Well, I kind of did, but I didn’t know it would actually be hard and I didn’t know it would make me uncomfortable.”

The planning part of this challenge was fun, exciting and kept me so busy that I didn’t think about the fact that every day, for 30 days, I have to see something beautiful about myself, and then tell the whole world about it.

Of course, when the idea for this challenge first came about, I was excited at the thought of digging deeper, seeing myself in a new light and promoting self-love. But when, on the 2^nd of April, I was struggling to find something beautiful about myself already, I knew this was going to take work.

I sat at my laptop for a good 20 minutes, trying to come up with something. This is when I realised just how important this cause is – it shouldn’t be so hard to find one thing about myself that is beautiful.

Every single little girl and woman on this planet deserves to see how beautiful they are. Including me. That’s why I’m doing this. So that one day, without hesitation, or 20 minutes staring at a blank screen, I will be able to list at least 30 things about myself that are amazingly beautiful and wonderful, and then go on to list 30 more.

I eventually saw something beautiful in myself that day. Not a physical quality, but more related to how I live my life. I was feeling proud of myself because the night before I had done something that had been making me anxious for days; I went out to dinner and dancing with a group of the other expats here.

I know, to most people that’s not even something they would think about, it’s so easy. Most people don’t see how that could possibly scare someone, let alone keep them feeling panicked and anxious for days before hand. But the thought of being out in a club with a group of people, especially people that I haven’t known very long, used to paralyse me with fear so much that I never went out at all.

So, the fact that I had faced that fear, and had the courage to go out and live my life despite the sick feeling in my stomach and anxious worries in my head, is a big accomplishment for me.

It’s like someone who is afraid of heights jumping out of a plane every single day. I know that the more I jump, the less fear I will feel next time.

So, my tweet for that day, April 2^nd, was this:

I face my fears every day, and no longer let my anxieties rule my life. #imbeautifulbecause

And I had never felt more beautiful.

Here are all of my other #imbeautifulbecause tweets for this week:

April 1^st: Today, #imbeautifulbecause I am learning to see my own power, & how to use it to create my life.

April 3^rd: I take the time to nurture and express my inner creative Goddess every day. #imbeautifulbecause

April 4^th: When I smile, I can feel my body and soul smiling, too. #imbeautifulbecause

April 5^th: Today, I’m taking the time to put myself first, and be still instead of wired in. #imbeautifulbecause

April 6^th: I have big eyes, that really are the windows to my soul 🙂 #imbeautifulbecause

April 7^th: I smile at myself in the mirror #imbeautifulbecause

April 8^th: #imbeautifulbecause I can always find a reason to smile 🙂

I have been reading all of the #imbeautifulbecause tweets from women all over the world, and I am so inspired. I feel so blessed to be in the company of such amazing, beautiful women.

Here are some of my favourite tweets from you:

@Zanthi: #imbeautifulbecause I let my inner light shine through, even on my dark days.

@NJRae: Today, #imbeautifulbecause I have faith in me and achieving my dreams.

@ClaireLaraine: #imbeautifulbecause I have learned to bloom after I have broken.

@IncaMaia: #imbeautifulbecause I feel grateful every step of the way. For friends, running, yoga, magic, rainbows, being alive… so much more.

@karenmead: #imbeautifulbecause I make the choice to focus on the sunshine!

@frangepanni: #imbeautifulbecause I take time to indulge my passions even when my mind tries to tell me I could be doing something easier and more fun : )

@decodingdress: #imbeautifulbecause I don’t look like a supermodel. #imbeautifulbecause I look like ME.

@LaurRains: #imbeautifulbecause I believe in the hopes and dreams of myself and every single person I’ve met and haven’t met. : )

Thank you so much for sharing your beauty with the world.

If you are new to the 30 Days Of Beauty Challenge, find out more about it and how you can join the movement here.

If you don’t tweet, share what puts the YOU in beaYOUtiful in the comments or on the Facebook page, or show your support by donating whatever you can to To Write Love On Her Arms here.

“To be beautiful means to be yourself.

You don’t need to be accepted by others.

You need to accept yourself.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Go smile at yourself,

Jen ♥

Rainbows & Miracles & Gratitude, Oh My!

Hello beautiful! Happy Sunday!

I’ve been doing some creative journaling lately, and man, is it AWESOME!

I don’t know how I lived 24 years without it. It’s such a creative, colourful, and sparkling way to heal and release my thoughts and emotions. I’m officially in love with it.

Here are some photos of what I’ve been creating:

Oh, and did you know that today (April 3^rd) is Find A Rainbow Day?! How freakin’ AWESOME is that? A day to spread rainbow love and happiness and bubbles and sparkles and joy everywhere you go! 😀

You can read more about Find A Rainbow Day here, and read about rainbows (and a totally wonderful rainbow making machine!) here. I think this is my new favourite day!

If you don’t see any rainbows today, here’s one I prepared earlier:

Speaking of nature’s miracles, have you acknowledged the miracle of YOU today? Karen Mead from A Peaceful Path shared this video in her newsletter today, and it’s just so amazing. We really are all miracles!

In other news, I’ve been busy creating the My Smiling Heart ebook! Here’s a sneak peak of some of the awesomeness:

And, last but certainly not least, a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been participating in 30 Days Of Beauty!

We are only on Day 3 and there are already heaps of #imbeautifulbecause tweets that have been inspiring me so, so, so much! I feel so blessed to be in the company of such amazingly wonderful women.

And, we have already raised $10 for To Write Love On Her Arms! We are definitely off to an amazing start!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You really are BEAUTIFUL!

Sending you so much LOVE,

Jen ♥

30 Days Of Beauty – Day 1!

Hey there, beautiful!

Well, it’s today! 😀

It’s the 1^st of April, and the beginning of 30 Days Of Beauty!

Every day for the next 30 days, myself and Jen Fromal from The Smashed Planet, will be tweeting about one thing that make us truly beautiful, and we would LOVE for you to join us!

Follow us on Twitter (@smiling_heart and @jenfromal), and whenever you tweet about something that makes you beautiful, use the hashtag #imbeautifulbecause, so that we can see it!

Every Friday, we will each be writing a post on our blogs, writing about our 30 days experiences, and selecting our favourite #imbeautifulbecause tweets from others.

Every Friday during April, Link Love Friday on the My Smiling Heart Facebook page will be replaced with ‘I Am Beautiful Friday’, where you can share your beauty with the world.

So, if you don’t tweet, or if you want to tweet and share on facebook, head on over to the MSH page and tell us what puts the YOU in beaYOUtiful!

Here’s the best part; we are doing this to raise money for To Write Love On Her Arms, a cause that is dedicated to helping those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.

So by joining in on the 30 Days Of Beauty Challenge, you will not only be discovering the many things that make you so damn beautiful, you will also be promoting a good cause! Everybody wins! 😀

Here’s my tweet for 1^st April:

Today, #imbeautifulbecause I am learning to see my own power, and how to use it to create my life.

If you want to donate to this cause, here is the link to the fundraising page – feel free to include this link at the end of your #imbeautifulbecause tweets!

Donate here!

 

Promote this cause with this tinyurl link at the end of your tweets:

http://tinyurl.com/4y6gomj

Wear Your Beauty!

If you just love this project so much that you want the whole world to know you are a part of it,

I made this badge especially for you!

Wear this badge on your blog, and let your beauty shine!

Link to: http://www.crowdrise.com/30DaysOfBeauty

Badge HTML Code: <a href=”http://www.crowdrise.com/30DaysOfBeauty”><img border=”0″ src=”https://jensmilingheart.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/30daysbeautybadge.jpg?w=125&amp;h=125″></a>

 

Let the AWESOMENESS begin! 😀

Stay beaYOUtiful!

Jen ♥

Note: The Two Jens are not official representatives of TWLOHA, only dedicated supporters of the cause.

30 Days Of Beauty

Hello beautiful!

Welcome to this very special edition of My Smiling Heart! 😀

For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a new awesome project with a twitter friend, Jen Fromal. Today, we are finally able to share it with the world! And, because we are an amazing little community, we have designed it so that there are many ways for YOU to be a part of the fun! Let the AWESOMENESS begin! 😀

30DaysOfBeauty

 

 

30DaysOfBeauty is a lifestyle experiment designed to boost self-esteem and encourage women (and men!) to see how truly beautiful they are – and raise money for a good cause in the process! Everybody wins!

Created by the two Jens, one the writer of The Smashed Planet and the other the writer of My Smiling Heart, 30DaysOfBeauty will use tweeting and blogging to spread a message of self-love and self-worth.

For 30 days, starting on the 1^st of April 2011, the two Jens will take to their twitter accounts (@jenfromal and @smiling_heart) dedicating one tweet per day to a reason why they are beautiful.

Each 30DaysOfBeauty tweet will finish with the hashtag #imbeautifulbecause, encouraging others to join in on the fun and tweet about why they are beautiful, too!

Every week, the two Jens will each write a post about their progress on the 30DaysOfBeauty challenge, list their #imbeautifulbecause tweets from the previous week, and also include some of their favourite #imbeautifulbecause tweets from others.

Now, here’s the most important part.

Through Crowdrise, the two Jens will be using this 30 day challenge to raise money for To Write Love On Her Arms, a cause that is dedicated to helping those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.

We are dedicating these 30 days to raise at least $300 for To Write Love On Her Arms.

So get ready to tweet up a storm in April! Follow the two Jens as they uncover the many reasons why they are beautiful, and raise money for an amazing cause in the process. Join in on the 30DaysOfBeauty challenge!

 

It’s time to put the YOU in beaYOUtiful!

 

I will also be posting my #imbeautifulbecause statements on the My Smiling Heart facebook page, and I would love you to share your #imbeautifulbecuase statements on there too! 🙂

*For more information on our thirty days projects and how it started, check out the 30Days tab at the top of the page.

*We have also added an option on our Crowdrise page to donate to the RedCross in order to help all those affected by the Japan earthquakes and tsunami.

You are AWESOME!

Jen ♥

Note: The Two Jens are not official representatives of TWLOHA, only dedicated supporters of the cause.