I entered a giveaway and in the application I was asked some questions that made me really think. I want to share them here: 

What mythical creature would you be and why?

A fairy mermaid. They are both mysterious and beautiful and I'd get the best of both worlds. I'd love to swim in every ocean, exploring sunken ships, watching the fish and finding sunken treasure. I'd have a beautiful green fin that would sparkle in the sun and retract into my skin when I wanted to be on land. It's always been a daydream to be able to fly! My wings would appear under a full moon and remain as long as I am airborne. I've always thought of fairies as magical, almost chameleon-like. They adapt to their surroundings well and are good at finding things (or hiding if need be). They can make a home anywhere. Like in trees. How cool would it be to live inside of a tree!?

  

If you could pass on a piece of advice to the next generation of women, what would that be? 

What other people think of you is none of your business, and it doesn't matter. The only person you should (and can) be working to grow is yourself. The world needs more love, more light and more women who know and love themselves. Be one of them. Lift other women up. Love people where they are at and remember that we are all children of God. Treat people accordingly. And remember Cinderella's advice: "Have courage and be kind."

  

What does “loving yourself” mean to you?

It means taking time to find out who you are: your talents, your passions, the things you enjoy most and allowing yourself time to develop and explore those things. It means honestly evaluating where you could work on some things and actively doing that. It means looking yourself in the eyes in the morning and telling that beautiful person in front of you that you love and accept her, that you are proud of who she is becoming. That you try to be a little more patient and forgiving of yourself, realizing that you are human, you will make mistakes, but that the way you experience this life is completely up to you - you control your actions and reactions to everything that comes your way. It means NEVER comparing yourself to someone else.

I don't think we ever "arrive" or get to a point where we stop growing. Self-reflection is a characteristic of one who desires to be a master of their life and emotions. I'm on that quest now. I am grateful to be alive and to have had every trial in my life. They have all been for my good, to see what I will do with them. I will rise. I will overcome. I will endure. I choose to be kind.