Connection Magazine, The Premier Good News Publication www.connectionmagazine.org

Celebrate yourself!
by Danita Harris

Happy Birthday to me! Yes, May is my birthday month and I'm excited. Excited because God has blessed me to see another year. Excited because I can say with assurance that I am born again in Christ Jesus. What a joy it is to serve the Lord with gladness. He is such an awesome God and His love has transformed my life.

As I reflect on my life's experiences, I can honestly say I didn't know real joy until I gave my life to the Lord. It's a high that no drug can take you to! Developing a relationship with my heavenly father taught me how to love others and the importance of loving myself. So many of us don't love ourselves. We forget to celebrate our "uniqueness" in this world. How many times do you say to yourself "I love me" and really mean it? Do you believe that you are a wonderful creation of God? If the answer is yes, then take a "time out" and celebrate you! If the answer is no, God wants to change your thought process right now and I want to encourage you to find the good inside...because it is there.

Celebrate all of the wonderful qualities that you have. Smile when you think about the growth that has taken place in your life. Dance like David when you think about the gift of eternal life that is now yours. Celebrate you! You know what? You are not the same person you used to be. When you live a life for Christ, those old behaviors that kept you in the dark for so long are gone...outta here...goodbye! And behold, ALL things, not some things, but ALL things are new. The Bible says if any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creature. Celebrate your newness in the Lord!

Never lose sight of the fact that you must celebrate and nurture yourself. Sometimes we get caught up in the craziness of this thing we call "life" and forget to do those things that make us feel special.

Because you are a special person and you are loved unconditionally by God. For me, it's affirming everyday that God has a plan for my life. Yep, God's got a plan for Danita and I have a purpose in this world. Just saying that makes me feel good. I try to take time out during the week to light some scented candles in my home, listen to my favorite inspirational CD's, and write poetry. Another way I celebrate "me" is by spending quality time with my mom and dad. We designate at least one Saturday a month as "family day" and I just hang out with them all day doing fun stuff like shopping, movies, going to restaurants, etc. It affirms God's love for me because he blessed me with such wonderful parents. I'm thankful that they're still here with me and that the three of us share a relationship with the Lord. Now that's something to feel good about!

What are the things that help you celebrate you? If you don't know, I encourage you to really think about it and then GO DO IT! You deserve to feel good about yourself and the goodness that God has deposited in you. It may be something as simple as taking a relaxing hot bubble bath, or treating yourself to one of your favorite meals, and what about reading that book you bought a month ago that's still in the bag. Whatever it is, just take a little time for you. I promise, it will make a BIG difference. Now start CELEBRATING!!! God Bless All of You!

Danita Harris is an anchor at WEWS News Channel 5 and can be seen daily on Good Morning Cleveland and News Channel 5 at Noon. She loves to write poetry, sing, and volunteer with The Girls Club of Ohio. Danita loves to encourage people in the Lord, and prays everyday that people would see the light of the Lord in her life.

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