🌸Mom's Journals, entry #16

🌸 Reflections from Mom’s Journals — Entry #16

🌸 You can’t give away what you don’t have. (often attributed to Wayne Dyer)

🌸 Be the kind of person that leaves a mark, not a scar. (often attributed to Jay Shetty, original origin is unknown)

🌸 Love is not what you say, it's what you do. -John Hagee

🌸 No one knows enough to be a pessimist. (often attributed to Wayne Dyer)

💗 Love Isn’t What You Say—It’s What You Do

Let’s have some real talk about love. Not the mushy Hallmark kind or the kind that shows up conveniently after someone screws up and needs to “smooth things over.” I’m talking about real love—the kind that goes beyond words and dives into action.

We’ve all heard those three little words—“I love you.” They’re tossed around like confetti at a New Year’s Eve party. But how often do we stop and ask: What do those words actually mean?

Spoiler alert: It’s not always what it seems.

Sometimes people say “I love you” out of habit. Sometimes they say it to manipulate, to keep the peace, or just because they think it’s what they’re supposed to say. But true love? It’s not found in lip service. It’s written in the way we show up, the sacrifices we make, and the integrity of our intentions.

🕊 Love at 100: Going All In

There’s a verse in the Bible—John 15:13—that hits hard every time I read it:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Whew. That’s not just saying I love you, that’s saying I’ve got you—even if it costs me everything.

Would we really go that far for the people we say we love? That’s a gut check, isn’t it?

🧭 Your Actions Have a Megaphone

My mom had this quote on the fridge growing up:

“Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Now that one stopped me in my tracks. And still does.

We can say all the right things, but if our behavior doesn't match our words, people will believe what they see, not what they hear. Actions will always be the louder language.

So… are your actions whispering sweet nothings or shouting mixed signals?

🫶 You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup

There’s another quote that I might’ve been the one to introduce to my mom (yes, I’m taking full credit for this one):

“You can’t give away what you don’t have.”

Let that one marinate for a sec. You can’t give love if you’re running on empty. You can’t give peace if your mind is chaos. You can’t give support if your foundation is crumbling.

My mom was the most generous soul—she would give, and give, and give until she was completely depleted. Sound familiar? It's a common thread among women who’ve been taught that “goodness” equals self-sacrifice. And while generosity is beautiful, self-neglect in the name of being “good” isn’t noble—it’s dangerous.

🎁 Give From the Overflow

True love and service come from a full heart, not a fractured one. When you take care of yourself—when you set boundaries, rest, nourish, and restore—you’re not being selfish. You’re setting yourself up to love others better. Deeper. Stronger. With more joy and less resentment.

So next time you say “I love you”—check yourself.
Are your actions backing that up?
Are you loving from overflow or from exhaustion?
And most importantly—are you giving to others what you first give to yourself?

Love is a verb, darling. Let’s start acting like it.

 💋✨Until next time, keep shining, loving & living your best life!

Wishing you Love, Light & Sparkles!

🌸 Carrie