I Strive For Joy, Not Perfection

Reading is a magical gateway to different worlds, eras, and adventures. When we read, our minds are taken on journeys that inspire creativity and fire up our imagination. Today's Charm Words are about the transformative power of reading and how it can expand our horizons, inspiring us to think above and beyond!

Befriending new people on the first day of school or trying different types of food makes us daring. When we discover new interests, we grow as well-rounded and open-minded people.

In this busy world, it can be easy to forget about the power patience holds. Being patient with ourselves and those around us is essential. When we’re willing to take the time to understand others, and even ourselves, we create an environment of understanding, compassion, and kindness. Those are all qualities necessary for wonderful and respectful relationships. We can honor the relationships with our friends, families, and ourselves by having empathy and patience.

We can show appreciation for our bodies by making good and thoughtful choices. Whether it’s eating a nourishing snack or getting some sunshine, we have the ability to respect our bodies. It’s important to take care of our bodies because they work super hard to keep us going everyday. Our bodies are amazing – so let’s show them how wonderful they are by treating them well.

Our values are precious. They define who we are as individuals. However, there will be times in our lives when those beliefs are challenged. In those moments, we might feel uncomfortable and unsure. When that happens, we can remind ourselves that we have the strength to stay true to our beliefs, no matter what anyone says.

Self-acceptance and self-love go hand-in-hand. Let’s proudly accept ourselves through kind and loving habits!

Have you heard of the word "assertive?" It means having or showing confidence! Think back to a time when you might've expressed your ideas and feelings without worrying about what others think. That was you being assertive! Being assertive takes practice, and it plays an important role in our lives as it can help us communicate, set boundaries, and even chase our dreams. Let’s remember to keep expressing ourselves in a confident manner. Letting ourselves think and communicate freely is a great way to earn respect!

We all follow our own paths. Let’s honor our paths and others’ by being open-minded, giving space, and being supportive.

We can’t always be the best at every sport or get a perfect score on every test because flawlessness is impossible. Let’s aim for joy instead of aiming for harmful, unattainable goals.

With our fantastic imagination and some elbow grease, we can create amazing things. Our sense of purpose drives us to produce wonderful ideas.