To All the Girls I've Loved Before

Who've traveled in and out my door (of life)...

I'm glad they came along. I dedicate this blog...to all the girls I've loved before.

Yep you...I'm talking to you!

Today is my 'BIG UPS' to the fairer (among other things) sex...women! Go you...go on...get it. Grab onto life and don't let go! Yes, you my darling. If you are reading this and you have 'lady parts' then I most likely know you, have had to trudge through much of the very same crap in life as you have had to, and definitely LOVE YOU (or at the very least 'like' you). Somewhere along the line you have taught me something about myself. Even the mean girls out there. I have this overwhelming need to send some major love out to all my girls today...because I am not sure if you hear it enough in the course of everyday living. Maybe your man isn't telling you enough (or no man currently is) or maybe you haven't said it out loud to yourself lately...or worse yet, you don't even think it's true..(say it ain't so?!) But it is all TRUTH - You are GORGEOUS, SEXY, STRONG, INDEPENDENT, BEAUTIFUL, SMART, and AMAZING and I haven't even gotten started yet!

I want you to know this today. You are BEAUTIFUL...just the way you are! You are an amazing person. All by yourself, you are amazing. Yes...you could very well be a mother, girlfriend, wife, sister, daughter, employee, teacher, student (you get my drift here) which takes away a little bit of you for all those people and things. I am here to fill your cup up today...and to tell you that you are so very special. A statue (or at least a reclining beach chair outfitted with a Cabo Wabo homemade 'from scratch' margarita) should be erected in your honor. You do so much for so many people all day long...did any of them say thank you today? THANK YOU!!! For all the little things that no one ever sees you do...THANK YOU!!! Don't forget to thank yourself for a job well done...I am sending you a virutal slap on the ass (like they do in the NFL) for going the distance.

Lauren's Handy Dandy Tips on self-giving:

1. Give yourself a break...This can be as simple as turning the volume up to 22 in your car today on the way home from work and listening to old Aretha Franklin blues albums with the windows down...this technique works EVERY single time for me. (I believe that level 22 volume is loud enough to drown out the cacophony of whiny kids too)

2. When you take the last recycling item out to the bins tonight before you go to bed (because you are GREEN too!) stop, look up into the night sky and take a deep breath. Now just stand there for 1 minute and breathe.

3. Get your SWEAT on! Go put on something comfortable and then...Walk, jog, run, bike, kettlebells, crossfit...30 minutes...another tried and true technique that works for me every single time.



Now remember this...DO NOT accept mediocrity in yourself. The biggest enemy of doing something GREAT, is being satisfied with something good. Don't settle for anything less than the best...and that applies to EVERYTHING. Don't waver in your resolve. Sometimes waiting can be the biggest test...but remember that you are WORTH IT.

Seriously though...Did I tell you that you are AMAZING?!

Go on girl...get yours.