27 Comments
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Morgan O'Neal (she/her)'s avatar

I still search for reasons to smile even in my darkest hours.

Thank you for this post. 🩷

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

I love that! That’s not an easy thing to do. Proud of you.

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Blossom's avatar

I’m such a beautiful person inside and out! Its so brave that I continue to fight for myself! I’m truly a light and blessing to those around me. Im so full of love. I am love. 💫💐💖

*Feels nice to remind myself* Love this post.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Yessss!! I love all of this!! Thank you!

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Kaitlyn Elizabeth's avatar

I love this for you and that you’re encouraging it in others.

Admittedly, I found this uniquely hard.

I do a lot of work to understand and own my stuff first as a way to do less harm on this planet. I use my gifts to be truly present for others and interact in a way that invites honesty and vulnerability. I can hold things loosely to find the lightness in darkness.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you Kaitlyn and those are certainly qualities to celebrate because they are qualities that seem to be lacking in our society. We need more self-reflective and caring folks in this world.

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Jesse 🍉's avatar

Wow thank you so much for posting this. This is so hard for me but I’m going to do it BECAUSE it’s so hard for me.

I am a great person. I’m a great friend and I have a big heart that I make every effort to keep as wide open as possible, no matter the circumstances. I truly believe that I would make a wonderful, loving partner, and that someone would be lucky to be in a relationship with me. I love that I keep working on myself and am committed to doing the work to heal and access my wholeness for the rest of my life. I’m never satisfied with my surface-level, destructive thinking or judgements about myself or others, no matter how often it creeps in. I am eager to access the truth that’s found in the smallest of moments and I can see the best in people. I love that about myself.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Yesss!! I love that you not only said one thing about yourself but a whole list that made me beam with pride for you.

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Libor Soural's avatar

I smile or even laugh a lot, though I'm probably the darkest guy in the hole shitty universe! Earning my bleached black-hearted points?

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

It's not always easy to keep a smile on our faces, especially when going through! Kudos to you Libor.

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Natalie Lue's avatar

“I bring much-needed sunshine into this world, even when mine is dark.” This is so true. I think there’s this notion out there that’s probably perpetuated by social media and the pursuit of happiness that if our world is dark, we don’t have anything to contribute and that we’re unworthy. But that’s not true at all. Thank you.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Certainly not true at all and could surely be considered a superpower. Thank you Natalie!

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Marc Typo's avatar

I’m what’s wanted and needed in the world. When I show as my full self, I unconsciously allow others to do the same.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Yes yes! So very true for you. You're encouraging the masses!

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Helese's avatar

I am an endless encourager and can see the highest version of a person's gifts before they see it for themselves. I give rich, insightful compliments. I really aim to see people. I really am that girl

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Yesss you are THAT girl! Such lovely qualities to have, I bet you're a joy to have around.

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Chioma's avatar

I’m a great listener. Probably one of the most active listeners I know. I’m the friend that will ask you to repeat yourself when someone else speaks over you. I’m the friend that makes sure everyone feels included. I’m proud of myself for turning my childhood pain of being left out into my present desire to make sure everyone feels seen, feels heard.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

This just made me want to sit down and talk and listen to you because often times the "great listeners" have a lot of great things to share as well.

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Nobuhle N Nyoni's avatar

I struggle with this A LOT. And I cringe when other people openly compliment themselves.

I know they aren't the problem, I am because even when I am given compliments I almost always sabotage them. 😂

I am slowly unlearning this horrible trait. I have started by simply saying, 'thank you,' when complimented. Maybe by end year I will be able to compliment myself in private.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

I love when we acknowledge that we are the problem, and not others haha! And yes that transition to just saying "thank you" without offering a rebuttal, disclaimer, or returned compliment is a tough one but it's a start and baby steps still move us forward!

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Siobhan J. Middleton's avatar

I love your dress and the color is super cute on you. And I love how Assia was able to affirm and speak life into you.

One thing I am starting to tell myself is that I deserve to have all the good in my life.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Thank you!! And yesss, I love reminding myself that I deserve all the goodness that comes to me. We do, we deserve, we deserve!!

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Ashleigh Faulkner's avatar

I am grown, experienced, and confident. My shine is my own.

Thank you for the reminder!

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

Yessss!! Your shine is your own, I love that!!

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

I am always trying to learn and do better. I have come so far from where I started, and I'm still making progress, even when things are hard and I make mistakes. My curiosity, persistence, and compassion are things I've worked hard at, and are something to be proud of.

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Ashleigh Vaughn's avatar

So proud of you!!!

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

Thank you! 🧡 I really loved this post.

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