In our heart we know we deserve the best but we settle for less. We choose mediocrity instead of reaching for the excellence in life and all it has to bring. We compromise our standards just to have a temporary fix instead of waiting on the permanent thing. Does this sound familiar? If it does then it is time to understand that you deserve better for your life. The only way you can obtain better is by reevaluating your standards and the foundation you have built for your life. In a society filled with mediocrity we tend to blend in and hide our true substance and value. When we hide our true value we become like a dark whole, lost in a twilight zone of emptiness. I have been on multiple journeys in my life but the current journey I am transitioning through is teaching me the art of self-love, self-respect and understanding I deserve happiness no matter what I have done in the past or will do in the present. For years, I did not believe better would come to me because of the mistakes I had made in my life. However, I began to realize I deserve better in my life not because of how great I was but it is truly the Lord’s will and desire for me to have an exceptional life. We sometimes allow our past to hold us hostage to true happiness so we settle for what we think we deserve because we falsely believe we do not deserve better. I realized that punishing myself for past sins or mistakes was the result of me not forgiving myself. When I can begin to look through the eyes of grace I understand that there is no condemnation in God. We all have fell short one time or another in life but our past molds us for the future. My journey of self-love is teaching me the lesson of acceptance, accepting myself totally; scars and all. The good, bad and ugly things in my life have made me the woman I am today. Every day I have to learn to love myself in the midst of my downfalls I am challenged to get back up and move forward. Life throws us curve balls that can throw us off course but life also gives us presents that add to our enjoyment of living. Do not allow the voices of your past to keep you shackled from embracing the future of better. We all deserve better so do not get trapped in settling for a mediocre life when you can have an abundant life. Strive for better!