#watermelonjellybeans

[leia-buns-blog]

“Investigate, Sophocles!" https://instagram.com/p/BCEbFlXwtq9/

[protegeant-blog]

ooc| For all of my followers: Watermelon Jelly Beans.

I've seen a few of you feeling so down and out about yourselves...it worries me that such wonderful people can think so poorly of themselves.

It makes me wonder: what on earth could the people in your lives have said to make you believe such ridiculous lies about yourself? How many times did they try to beat something so untrue into your head until you started to think it was the truth?

You may be curious: "Why did he call this 'Watermelon Jelly Beans'? What does candy have to do with any of this?"

Well...

I must confess: I'm a huge fan of watermelon jelly beans. It's not so much the taste as it is for the design. The fact that when you bite into one, you get past the thin green shell to reveal the red jelly center, just like a real watermelon. No matter how many times I see it, it never fails to make me smile. Something that simple just...has become one of the little joys in my life.

It does make me a bit sad, though, that you often don't see many per bag.

So...

I think everyone could use more watermelon jelly beans in the bags of their lives. Little things to make them smile, hidden joys that seem meant for just them if they take the time to look a little closer instead of just eating the jelly bean whole.

I think the same can be said of words...and even people, too.

Imagine that the watermelon jelly beans are compliments. Big or small, either or. No matter how true they are, how true someone else thinks they are, how on earth are you supposed to hold those along with all the hurtful words someone tells you? You're more likely to hang on to the painful things than the comforting ones, even if it's only because there are more words that tear you down than those that build you up.

Like jelly beans, the little things can pile up on your shoulders until you finally can't stand anymore.

But...I believe the reverse is true, too.

What if you took the time to add a watermelon jelly bean to someone's bag? It can't necessarily get rid of the flavors that leave a bad taste in your mouth, that make you ill, that make you recoil, that make you want to never eat another jelly bean ever again...but it does increase the chance that that person might find something comforting every time they reach into their bag.

If everyone added a bean...what sort of change do you think we could see?

Well, here's mine to you all.

You're special because you're you. You're wonderful because you're you. You're beautiful because you're you. What makes you different if what makes you you. You're not meant to be someone else because you're you. Every person is unique, each with certain strengths and certain weaknesses...

No one else can take your place because it's yours. You were born here, on this planet, into a place that belongs only to you. There's no substitute for anyone else. People are not interchangeable...everyone is important.

Even if you believe you're not...you are.

I don't think that people "need" each other. I think people spend too much time looking for someone who "needs" them, so much to the point where they start to dislike themselves because that person doesn't appear...

But, I do believe that people want one another.

Doesn't it mean more to have someone make a choice to be by you than to be following some sort of mindless design? Doesn't it give that decision more weight because it is their own? That it's your own?

Look for the people who want you nearby, who want you in their lives, who want to see you smile, who want to see you laugh, who want to hold you when you cry, who want to still be by your side when you may lash out in anger...

Even if you feel like giving up...like you can't stand anymore...there are always people who will stay beside you until you're able to get back up again.

We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, and should a day come when your weaknesses drag you down...when the cruel words of others bring you heartache...I believe there's always someone there willing to lend you some of their strength, to help carry you when you don't think you can continue any longer.

Believe in the people who seek you out, who wake up happier with the world because they know that you're in it...who know that you're alive and that you are you.

Believe in the people who will quietly fill your bag with watermelon jelly beans until it overflows.

So, now it's your turn. I urge you to give a watermelon jelly bean to someone you know. Even if it's something you consider "simple," sometimes it's the smallest thing that can lift someone's spirits.

Send someone a message.

Text someone.

Call someone.

Reblog this and tag them.

Reblog this and add your own message.

Write your own.

Let's see how many bags we can start to fill.