I've been praying to God to show me how to forgive myself. Because... maybe... that's the thing I've been searching for.
Interpretation
Forgiving oneself is essential for personal peace and growth.
In this quote, Mary J. Blige reflects on the deep and often painful journey of self-forgiveness. She acknowledges that seeking divine guidance in this personal struggle indicates her recognition of the importance of letting go of past mistakes, suggesting that self-forgiveness is crucial for her emotional healing and overall fulfillment in life.
In practice
In a personal development workshop discussing the importance of self-acceptance.
When I was five years old I was molested and just, you know. I remember feeling, literally right before it happened, I just could not believe that this person was going to do this to me. That thing followed me all my life. The shame of thinking my molestation was my fault - it led me to believe I wasn't worth anything.
We are all spirits. We get depressed. But music makes you want to live. I know my music has saved my life.
I don't know. Only God knows where the story ends for me, but I know where the story begins. It's up to us to choose, whether we win or lose and I choose to win.
As a child I always wanted to be a singer. The music my mother played in the house moved me - Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Mahalia Jackson. It was truly spiritual. It made you understand what God was. We are all spirits. We get depressed. But music makes you want to live. I know my music has saved my life.
Really, every woman is an example to me, because as women we go through so much pain. We have to live this perfect life when we are messed up inside. We all go through trials and tribulations.
In the inner city, there's a mentality that the government owes you something. My breakthrough came when I stopped feeling sorry for myself and took responsibility for every part of my life. No more pity parties. I've gotta love me more than anybody else loves me.
In basketball - as in life - true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way.
The secret of life', he said, 'is to become very very good at somethin' that's very very 'ard to do.
I was an introverted kid; I liked my time alone. And the rest of my family is pretty extroverted, so I felt like a bit of an oddball. They're very gregarious and charming and charismatic people. I always felt like I was struggling as a young person. I think everyone was very surprised to hear that I wanted to be an actor.
Open-faced sandwiches take risks and live big and smile with all their teeth. These are the people I want to be around.
Don't lament so much about how your career is going to turn out. You don't have a career. You have a life. Do the work. Keep the faith. Be true blue. You are a writer because you write. Keep writing and quit your bitching. Your book has a birthday. You don't know what it is yet.
If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.
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