Why Wait To Save Your Life?

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform

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Ever since I started working at the gym, there has been one big thing that has made me both upset and wonder "why?". I noticed that the majority of the people entering the gym, were older adults...seniors and adults 40 and up. My first thought, was good for them, they've kept active as they have grown older. As I began to pick up more hours and see more people enter the gym, I noticed the lack in members under the age of 40. This made me upset, as that age group are the people in their prime who should be physically active and healthy.

So, I guess what I am trying to get at today is; why is it that we wait until we have become older, immobile and diseased to start, when we could just START young and STAY physically active and healthy longer, and reap the benefits more?
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‪#‎WhyWait‬? ‪#‎ReapTheBenefits‬ ‪#‎StartYoung‬

Things

Figure skating and Singing are my two favourtie things. For most of my life they were the things that made me....me. Lately, doing these things have been hard. Work, family, time, they make it hard to do the things I love, but why? Why is it that I can find time to plan for other peoples things of happiness but not my own?

I'm on the ice at least 3 times a week for 3 to 4 hours at a time, but yet I don't have the time to skate myself...why?

I used to take vocal lessons and sing as much as possible, but now, I can't fit it in my schedule....why?

Why is it that as soon as our adult life begins we lose the time to do the things we love to do, whatever that thing may be? Is it really that we lose that time? Or is it that we feel guilty if we take the time to do that thing we love for ourself?

I'm not really sure what the answer is, but I miss my things, the things that make me... me. So last night, I sang my heart out for a good hour, in my house with youtube and karaoke and I went to bed feeling happy and new. And next week, I'm going to rent the ice for myself, to skate.

Look at your life, what are your "things"? When was the last you did those things and make time to do them!

 

 

 

Start A Revolution...With Yourself

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform
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So, This popped up on my Facebook today and I just had to watch it, and let me just say WOW. Not only can it be taken as likes on Facebook or Instagram, but the numbers we see on the scale.

 

https://www.facebook.com/BuzzFeedVideo/posts/1866447400162800

 

This young lady puts it into perspective for not just teens, but for anyone who strives to be a better "number" or lived only by the compliments and comments of others. Since we stated posting these Fitness Fuels it's been all the same message, love you, for you, no matter what, and start a revolution.

 

This girl, has started a revolution, starting with herself.....so my challenge to you, is to do that same. Maybe not all over Facebook or the Internet, but start with yourself. Wake up in the morning and tell yourself how beautiful you look. Look at yourself and think about everything YOU love about yourself, not what everyone else loves about you. Look at everything you've accomplished, your joy, your passion and tell yourself how freaking amazing you are!

 

If you want more information on the video, Here is an article as well. http://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/a-teen-instagram-star-is-editing-her-photo-captions-to-show#.nxkQ2kwop
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What Is Fit?

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform

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As a child/teen, I always thought that in order to be "fit" you had to look ripped, skinny, 6 foot and where fitness clothes all the time, but that's not true!

Take a look around our gym for instant. Our trainers...all completely different shapes, sizes and ages....but all of us come in different forms of "fit". So why is it that society has to plaster this image of "Fit" all over the magazines as one size and shape?

It's silly, society is silly. All we can do is look at ourselves and what we have become and say, "Hey, You look damn good today!" because even though, I'm not ripped, I still love my "fit" body.
So, What does "Fit" really look like?

"It means you train differently, think intelligently, respect powerfully, sensing a new strength in yourself that comes not from the desire to have a cutie booty but a strong one that can move when it has to, along with the rest of the magnificent machine called YOU."
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Here is the great article, I got the quote from, take a read!
The Pornographication of Fitness Needs to Stop

 

Body Judgement

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform
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In this day and age it's hard not to be self conscious, no matter your size. Too big, you don't exercise or eat right....too small, you starve yourself your too skinny. Why is it that no matter what we do people always judge?

My son recently started swimming lessons, at his age a parent goes in with him and everytime I've past it off to his father.
At first I kept telling myself it was because his dad can deal with him in a situation like that better than I can...I was trying to convince myself that, that was the reason, but it wasn't.

I am to scared to go to my sons swimming lessons in my two piece bathing suit, because I am too scared that someone will look at my body and judge me...but why? I'm healthy, I try to eat my best, my jobs are physical jobs, I am constantly presenting myself, but yet I can't put on my bathing suit and join my son for swimming lessons...That's not right!

So, I am going to brave up. This Saturday I will join my son in the pool for swimming lessons...in my two piece bathing suit, and I will share that memory with him. I will show him, that no matter what, you can't be scared to show yourself for what you are...no matter your size!

I hope those of you who struggle like I do, can do the same thing, for yourself and your friends and family. Show them that no matter what, you love yourself.
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Age Does Not Equal Ability

Throughout my life, I have always had people doubt and judge me on my ability...

I started coaching skating at the age of 16, as soon as I could start. Before that I had skated since I was 5, moved up in the levels quick and was a program assistant for years! My coach was an amazing coach and a great mentor. When I started coaching, no one believed that I had the ability or the knowledge to be doing so since I was so young...

I am now 20, have a two year old child, I went to college for 2 years made the deans list, and got my Fitness Instructor and Personal Training certification. Over the years since I was 16, I have taken many skating courses as a coach and often times am I higher level than coaches that are a lot older than I am...but people still look at me as if my age has something to do with my ability...

What they don't see, is that I work hard. Constantly, at home, at the rink and in the gym. I work hard to be who I am, to know what I know, and to have ended up where I am today..

They don't see the endless hours at home that I research, prep, plan and organize so that I teach and coach to the best of my ability.... all they seem to see is a young mom who got lucky.

You don't get lucky. Luck isn't a thing, you have to work hard to get where you want to be, to follow your dreams, to become that person that you strive to be...

So, next time you look at someone and see a young adult, see the potential and the whole picture...not just there age...cause age is just a number...not an ability indicator.

Ups and Downs

My weeks are pretty similar in the sense of motivation and emotions;

Mondays: Full of energy, up early to work, work at home during the day, then coach

Tuesday: No energy, don't want to get out of bed (sleep in), got no motivation and get nothing done till I work at the gym at 5.

Wednesday: Pretty good energy, up early to work, work at home during the day, then coach

Thursday: Feel exhausted, get some work done, coach that night

Friday: Depends on the weekend and day, but usually pretty good energy until I relax for a bit, then I have none

Weekend: Depends on what's going on and how my family feels

What confuses me is that the days, when I have time and get a little more sleep, why I feel so exhausted and un motivated to do anything...

Some how, I need to figure out a way to keep my energy every day of the week so that I can get stuff done...but how do I do that?

I'm a "stay at home" mom, who works in the evenings and occasional mornings, where I bring my son to work, I love both my jobs and my life. My boyfriend, works nights, full time Sunday to Thursday nights, he drives over an hour to work and get around 3 hours of free time a day. I want to be able to keep things clean and organized so that I'm not the "lazy stay at home" mom...But for some reason, I can't seem to find that motivation anymore.

So, energy and motivation...Where are you and where did you go!?

 

Found this funny...maybe this is my problem!

Motivation

Fitness Fuel with Julia Jacobs
Train | Nourish | Transform

Motivation
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Somedays I wake up and have tons of motivation ...other days I don't. But how can we deal with increasing our motivation on the days where it seems impossible to find any. 

 For a lot of people finding the motivation to get up and workout is impossible.

 

Here are some ways to increase that motivation

 

1.Don't put away your gear, make it visible.
2.Turn your commute into a workout, like biking or walking.
3.Get more workout clothes (This one is so me!)
4.Use social media, log your workouts, you may gain some cheerleaders.
5.Think about the benefits, for yourself and your family.
6. Make friends at the gym, whether it be in our awesome classes or just a workout buddy, they will hold you accountable.
7.Create a goal or exercise contest.

 

For more information, check out this article.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/…/habits-of-effective-exerc…/
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So...What's your motivation?

Bedtime

Okay, So since my son was born he has rarely ever slept in his own bed. After almost two and a half years of sharing a bed between three people, I am determined to put a stop to it! We had been trying to get him to sleep in his own bed for what seems like forever....with the lack of good sleep no wonder it felt like forever. For the longest time, it made it very difficult as we were all sharing a bedroom, which made is hard to get him to be in his own bed. BUT we bought a house about 4 months ago and he FINALLY has his own room, which I thought would be great....but having his own room didn't change much. After sharing a room for the majority of his life he kinda got used to it...duh Julia (not sure why I thought it would change things).

Well...I've been trying to figure out ways to make him love his room enough for him to want to sleep in there and play in there by himself, and with my love of Pinterest I have had many ideas.

So yesterday while he was napping on the couch, I tackled his room! I cleaned the majority of it up and created a "new" bed for him, that I thought would make him want to sleep there....and so far IT'S WORKED! Last night and for nap time today he has fallen asleep and stayed there!

Woke up today after a good sleep finally and I am now energized and motivated to get things done...thank goodness!

 

What I decided to do...

 

 

After it's finished, and time for bed.

 

He's sleeping in his own bed!

Catching Up

Wow, it's been a long time since I have "Blogged". So much has changed. My life has changed...

I am now a mom to an adorably handsome 2 year old boy named Carson, he is the reason I wake up every morning and want to get out of bed. His father, is the man I have now been with for 4 years. I have graduated high school and college, and am now out in the world working away. I am a Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Skating Coach with Skate Canada. Life has been pretty great I must say!

We Learn What We Live

We are always told, you're a lot like your father, or you act like your mother and most times it's plausible and true. We always say it's genetics, and yeah sure they play a role in it, but how we live our everyday life is really what makes the biggest impact. I read this poem the other day, and it hit me, hard. The entire poem is true, exact, and powerful. It's called 'Children Learn What They Live'. 

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

 When I read this, I think of my life, where I've seen it, and how much it's true. Children learn from human behavior, and so often we see kids learn the wrong things, the bad things. It's hard going anywhere now-a-days   where there isn't a child swearing, to the point where they just learned to talk. We tend to look at kids and blame them for their actions, for what they do, what they say, almost everything, but where are these kids getting that from? They didn't just teach themselves. They learned, from the people they learn the most from, their parents, teachers, older siblings, etc. I think we need to stop blaming them for their actions, and getting them into big trouble, when we should really be doing it to ourselves, because we must be terrible people teaching young children to be like that. We need to encourage them and teach them to be amazing people, we need to show them what that looks like because, soon they will be teaching others as well. If we keep teaching our children to act this way, what will the world be like in ten years....I don't know if I want to know, the answer to that one. I think it's time for a change, in our generation. We can be the best teachers.

Renewing My Mind

So it's been a little crazy lately, and failure seemed to be hitting in every aspect of life. Things have been a mess, and I'm not happy with the way things have been going. It finally hit me, that things weren't going as I thought they were, not only for myself but for others as well. I had been trying to push life away, trying to skip out on things that I never would have been able to skip out on. Just trying to skip through life, because I had a better vision for not now, but soon...later. 

I guess what I needed was a kick in the bum, a slap to the face, something to wake me up, from my same old, skip through life thought of mind. And that's what I got, it may not have been the best way, but it woke me up.

We are always told to, think positive, but why is it so hard sometimes. It always seems that in the times where we need that positive thought the most, we can't do it. Is there a way we can train our minds to just flip? Maybe, but it'll take a lot of try's before we get it right. Sometimes we just need that renewing, renewing of that thing inside our head that drives us crazy, with both thought and emotion. 

They say true change begins in our mind. That what makes you, you, is what you think, so think positive, but how do we do that all the time? Our thought patterns become routine, almost like brushing our teeth. How do we get ourselves out of that routine, by setting our mind. We can choose what we pay attention to, feed your mind with excellence, you  mind will eat what you feed it. What you pay attention to is in your mind, you can't change your whole mind, but you can change what you pay attention to. We get so used to negative thoughts that it becomes natural to us. Negative thoughts, are unwanted visitors, staying for way to long, we don't want them around. The thoughts you think have an enormous power over your life.We are free to feed our minds what WE want. 

This quote sums it all up:

 "What YOU put in the recipe makes it taste like what you put in it." 

The Game Of Life

LIFE. Not every path is fair, it's all in the luck of the draw, how we roll the dice, or what cards we choose. We can try to make plans, or work our way through it, but there will always be that stop, or the move that changes everything. Although, for some sick reason we like to make ourselves believe we are the only ones dealing with these inadequate's we really aren't. Everyone has a stop, or takes a different path, or has an inadequate we need to go through. Is life really like this? When we are concieved, God immediately has a plan for us. He knew everything about us, what we looked like, what we were going to do, the sports we would play. He knew everything, every little detail. As our lives go on, he gives us choices, he gives us different cards and situations, sometimes good and sometimes bad. He gives us the dice to roll, how many steps we take and in what direction we choose. His plan for us may change millions of times, depending on what card we get, or how we roll that dice, but in the end he is always watching us. Those inadequates we believe to be so big, and distructive are only enough that we can handle. GOD ONLY GIVES US ENOUGH THAT WE CAN HANDLE. What we need to realize is that life is fair, and it's what we make it. Sometimes it may feel like a game filled with only chance, but it's a fair chance, and everything we do, determines it.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2

Trust

Trust
Such a big word, with big meaning. How do we know when to trust. How do we know to trust God, or a friend, even ourselves. Trust, a huge leap of faith towards allowing ourselves to trust someone? How do we make this leap? How do we know to trust in God? Were we just taught to do it? Was it our choice? When we go to church or pray, we trust in God. We trust that God will help us, keep us safe, and love us no matter what. When we trust a friend, are we making the same assumption? When you trust in a friend are you trusting them to help you, to keep you safe and to love you no matter what? God is like our friend we need to trust in him. Isaiah 26:4 says, "Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal." God is our foundation of trust, if we can trust in God, he will be that friend that is there to help, to keep you safe, and to love you no matter what. In trusting God, we trust the world, we have the confidence to trust others as well as ourselves. "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7. Trust, Such a big thing, with a big meaning, just like Our God.

What Is Love?

At my age of 16 and throughout our teen years, we experience so many different things throughout that time. One of the biggest things we experience is relationships. Highschool relationships can be a pleasure or a pain. Then can make us happy and they can make us sad, and even sometimes maybe we can feel love. Now how do we know what love is other than the love of our parents and God? Until this point we've never really felt things like this, so how do we know what love is? Does anyone really know what it means? So many people can feel and think of love differently. Our grandparents could feel it differently than our parents, and our parents may feel it differntly than us. But how can we really explain it. As happiness, as a warm feeling? We all experience love differently, so how do we truly know what it is?

I love this bible verse and I'll share it with you. I think it really makes you think about love.

"Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but it happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal." 1 Corinthians 13 4-8

So Far Away

I feel like I haven't written in forever! I've just been crazily busy, and when I do have time to actually sit on the computer it's not for very long. But that's beyond the point, It's March Break wooo! I love having breaks. Gives me time to relax, how about you? Aha, So Yeah, I'm hoping to get more writing in now, as much as I can, cause I love doing it.

So the other weekend I was driving down to Niagra Falls for a skating competition. Minding my own buisness headphones in my ears, blasting my music, looking out the window, I saw the something awesome. On the back of a car bumper there was a sticker, and that sticker said, "I Am Second." For thosse of you who don't know what that is; 1. You need to check it out and 2 You really need to check it out! They are 5 minute clips about inspirational stories invovling God. I love them! One of my favourites of Bailee, the little girl from 'Bridge To Teribithia'. Whenever you have time, check it out.

http://www.iamsecond.com/

What's The Meaning?

Making out, fooling around, sex, what's the meaning? So often now-a-days, we tend to think that all this comes with a relationship, with dating. Why? Why do we do that? We are young and so often we just throw ourselves out there to do these things, and with that we just get hurt and broken down. Doing these things won't make him/her love you, they won't make him/her stay. So what's the meaning? Why do we do these things? Dating, or being in a relationship to me is finding someone you can enjoy being with, making memories, having fun times, sharing, talking, having someone close to you. Sure later on in life when you know you want to be with that person for the rest of your life, those things are just acts of loving, but at our age, why? We don't know for sure we love that person, we don't know for sure we want to be with them for the rest of our lives. We are young, we are learning about life, we are learning what we want, but right now we don't. When dating someone I don't want someone who will constantly touch me, kiss me, or hold me. I'm an independent woman, sure every once in a while, but right now I don't need that one person, so I don't need to constantly be constantly by my side. Showing affection is nice, but isn't words better than actions, I would thinks more, it's harder to speak then to do. Simple words like I care, or I like you, should mean more than some actions. We just have to remember that we are young, we are going to make mistake, we are going to learn, we will find what we want, but for now we don't. So, just enjoy life, and don't push into things that you are not yet ready for. 

That One Thing

So, You know that thing, that thing that you love to do. That thing that you would do anytime, anyplace, with anyone no matter what. Yeah, I love that thing. I have two of those things, one would happen to be figure skating and the other would be singing. What's yours? You know, these things, are the things that keep me sane sometimes. Whenever I'm upset, confused, stressed, or in any negative mood, I like to sing, or go out and skate. These things, make me happy, they are what I love to do. Everyone should at least have one, and if you don't I suggest you find one, because let me be the first to say, they are a life saver!  Everyone has there moments and sometimes you don't know how to deal with them. Some people like to think that having alone time is always the answer. Sure, being alone gives you time to think, but sometimes you just need to get up and go do the thing you love the most, cause I can guarantee you, by the time you are done, your mood will have changed. Plus, you mind will be clear, filled with positive thoughts, and you'll be ready to take on things. It's like having a break, or going to confession, it clears away the negative and brings in positive so that you can think more clearly. I love my things, figure skating and singing, they make me happy. I hope you have things you love to do too, if not my challenge to you is to go out and find something. 

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/MissMadWorld

Where are you, Christmas?

So, let me be the first to say, where the heck did Christmas go!?  Aha, It went by so fast! I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas. I hope you guys enjoyed you family, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and most of all enjoyed yourself. I hope everyone felt the love, and happiness that everyone should feel. Notice I am not saying I hope everyone got the presents they wanted, cause you know what, as much as a lot of people may think that's what Christmas is about, that is not what Christmas is about. Christmas is about being with your family, sharing joy, love, and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Jesus, the son of God who gave his life for us, to make sure our sins were forgiven. Our lives are the way they are because of Jesus, we are so lucky to have what we have, and I hope this Christmas you have realized that. Next year, when Christmas come, remember to say Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays, cause we need to let people know it's Christs day, so Merry CHRISTmas, not happy holidays. So once again, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, remember to share your joy and love, with your loved ones.

Shut Up And Listen

So, We've had like how many snowdays now? Like 6? Crazy! So I thought I'd just put up some videos I like.

The first one is from The Sister Act 2. If you wanna be somebody. Tis short.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcgscTnXRzA

The 2nd one is from August Rush, Raise It Up. The little girl has an amazing voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiFXuj5I5Do

I hope you guys enjoy your snowdays.

God gives us a "dessert plate" full of options. We are spoiled rotten by his love and him giving us one another.

Rejection

Rejection, is probably the most hurt for our confidence. Why do we always build ourselves up for rejection and not acceptance? Rejection, comes so often that sometimes we just don't even notice it, we push it aside, but deep down it does get to us, every time. Every time we get rejected we shove it away in a tiny little corner in our brains, those rejections build up and that corner gets overfilled. That overfilled corner burst and all these rejections come flying into our head, and lets face it, say "Goodbye" to our confidence. This happens so often to everyone. What we don't realize is that the only reason this hurts us so much is because we always focus on the negative. Why do we do that?! It just makes everything harder on us. For some reason we've learnt that taking the negative out of everything is easier than taking the positive out of everything. BUT, we don't  have to live like that. All we have to do is a simple mind switch, from negative to positive. We are free to feed our mind what we want, our only battle is the switch. It like a recipe, the recipe will taste the way you make it, your mind is the same way. Our mind will be what we put into it, negative thought, negative mindset, positive thoughts, positive mindset. The switch sounds so easy but it isn't, taking small steps is the best way, try to focus on the positive and feed your mind with excellence. Slowly change the thoughts you think to positive thoughts. Evil will try to fatten your mind with negative, but you can stop that fattening and put rich, pure positive thoughts into your mind. You can make the switch, all you have to do is focus on the positives and feed your mind with excellence.

Colossians 3:2 

² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Never Alone

So, I have this guy friend, he's been having issues dealing with a bunch of thins. Yes, I know what your thinking, a guy! Confidence is an issue for everyone, even if you can't tell or notice it. My friend wants someone (a girl)  who will be there, care, and help him become more confident. The worst part of this is that because he wants someone so bad, he "falls" for girls quickly causing him more pain, hurt, and every time he becomes less confident. What he doesn't realize is that he doesn't need some girl to make him more confident, it's in him. All of this has caused so much crap in his life. All he needs to know is that people love him, and that he is amazing. He doesn't need some girl to be happy and confident. He need to realize that he is never alone. No one is ever alone. "Your not alone, there is more to this I know. You will make it out, you will live to tell." That's just an exert from a song called Your Not Alone by Soasin. It's a great song, take a listen. and realize, you are NEVER ALONE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj0PtMZaWss

Purpose

We all have times when we wonder why we were born, what our purpose is. We've all been brought to this world, brought to life by one amazing indescribable, God. God brought us all onto this earth with a plan, for all of us. We were born because he wanted us. We are wanted, we are needed, we are loved, we are cared for, we have everything we need, everything we long for. We just tend to stop ourselves from believing. We stop ourselves from feeling them. We need to open up and allow ourselves to feel it, allow ourselves to believe it. We all have a purpose, we all have a reason. 

I really like this Youtube video, it touches on like everything. It makes you think, and makes you feel good. I like to listen to it just to allow myself to open up and feel that I'm wanted, needed, loved, cared for, and have a purpose. Take a listen to it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEfJpJ1lhQc

Awakening

After a recent breakup, I have had an awakening. Being with a guy made me feel confident, wanted, needed, and special. Now that he's gone, were did it go? Did it just disappear like him? For the longest time, I thought and felt it did. No! It's still here inside of me, in me, me! I just have to find it. Being a girl having guys like us and notice us gives us confidence, but when we don't we seem to lose that. We don't need to rely on guys to make us feel good. We have ourselves and each other. "It's a mans world, but it would be nothing without women." As women we need to realize this, we are all strong, confident and independent. Welcome and join me to a journey into a world of self-reliance.