Recently I had one of those days; you know, the ones where everything just seems to NOT go your way. Work was overwhelming, my mind was wandering all over the place, and I just couldn’t seem to focus. I felt like screaming at the world to just stop for a minute and give me a chance to breathe. Just when I felt like I was going to burst, I drove to Peet’s Coffee (for may latest favorite, iced soy chai), mainly to clear my mind. As I was driving, I was talking to a friend of mine (and updating my Twitter 
, and they told me how blessed I was. My initial thought was, “blessed…are you kidding me? My life is out of control”. And then I began to reflect on all the things God has done in my life, and to be honest, I then felt a bit guilty. Recently, I’ve been living out my dream and here I am complaining- shame on me!
Less than a year ago I had lost the love of my life, my house was almost in foreclosure, and on a regular basis I found myself curled up into a ball crying out to God. Now, when I stop and see where I am today, I am amazed. I have an incredible job at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, I live with my sister (and best friend) and have people coming up to me on a regular basis saying they are “fans” of mine. All of this just blows me away, my life has been flipped upside-down in the past year and it’s humbling and exciting to be on this journey.
I recently read that we should, “consider it pure joy whenever we face trials, because that testing develops perseverance”. My goal for each day is simply to remember that I’m here on earth for a bigger purpose, and it’s not about me. I was having a conversation with my manager recently regarding the impact that all of us as individuals have here on earth. He had just returned from his second trip to Haiti, and after hearing the stories of all that is happening down there, I’m moved to do more with my life. I have to count my blessings and do whatever I can to show love to the hurting.
The next time I feel down or alone I hope I stop to realize how truly blessed I am.
Speak Love, Act Love, Live Love
Change The World
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Susan says:
July 6, 2010 at 3:49 am
Tenley – my entire family were fans of yours since the first show of the Bachelor with Jake, and after tonight, we are so relieved and glad that you didn’t end up with him. God has a plan for you and your life and you have been a great inspiration to many people. You are a rare and gentle soul and a breath of fresh air.
We wish you all the best in love and life and know that whatever you do and wherever you go in your life, that you will succeed and be blessed.
Susan Vaughn
http://www.raisin-toast.com
James Bembenek says:
July 6, 2010 at 3:57 am
Tenley You truly are a Very Special Person
Liz says:
July 6, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Tenley-
All throughout last season and since I have had this strong urge to contact you and thank you for the inner strength you have given me. Your beauty (both in and out) radiate and touch lives of many. The way you carry yourself is so unique and amazing. Considering I’m a complete stranger, I don’t want to creep you out with details of how amazing I think you are- but I just wanted to drop you a note encouraging you to keep that gorgeous smile on your face.
-Liz
jody says:
July 12, 2010 at 1:58 am
Good for you, girl.
God is great and His plans for us (yea…thats you!) are so great. We don’t always understand them at the time but trusting in Him allows us to open ourselves up to so many more blessings. Some times it takes us having you had the other day to shake us up and realize that it’s not so bad after all. Your smile is contagious…keep showing it off. 
Marli Sanders says:
July 12, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Hi Tenley,
What an awesome young woman you are!
I am not one to usually comment or blog, but since seeing you on The Bachelor, I have felt you are a truely genuine person. I could almost be your mom (I’m 47), and have three daughters of my own. I have always strived to teach them that God’s way is SO much better, and grander, than our way. We watched The Bachelor, off and on, when you were on it, and every time the girls commented about you. Not only your outward beauty, but, most especially, your inner radiance. They would say, “Mom, she must be a Christian!” My girls are young ladies–17, 18, 22–and they will have heartache in their lives, as we all do. My prayer for them is that they will turn to the One who will wipe away every tear, heal every broken heart. Thank you for being such a great example in this “Hollywood” age. God bless you. Would love to hear from you if you have the time.
Stephanie says:
July 13, 2010 at 5:22 pm
This is amazing, it honestly truly does motivate you to look at your blessings and what you have rather than what you don’t. Tenley, I have so much respect for you, you seem like an amazing person with a heart full of gold, I can see you are full of passion and care and it makes me smile because that is exactly what we need in the world is more people like you, who care and are willing to help. Thank you for being the person you are and I wish you the best with your future endevaours!
Remember..
Life is to short to wake up with regrets,
So love the people who treat you right
And forget about the ones who don’t.
Beleive everything happens for a reason
And if you get a second chance,
Grab it with both hands
And if it changes your life, let it
Because nobody said life would be easy..
They just said it would be worth it <3
Wishing you the best,
Stephanie XOXO
Elisa Standridge says:
July 14, 2010 at 5:59 am
Tenley, you have a wonderful tain of thought. you truely are a woman of God. even though sometime maybe hard, just remember that the devil attacks the one that are truely doing Gods work. So the Problems that you may have in your everyday life, is just a way that the devil is trying to block the works of God. I’m happy that you didn’t let that day bring you down…you truely showed people reading this how God is working threw your life, and you aren’t going to let the devil stop you.
-Elisa
Andrea says:
July 18, 2010 at 6:41 am
“Live love” is God’s total commandment to us…to love Him completely and to love our neighbors as ourselves. You couldn’t give out wiser advice! In world full of “Marthas,” never lose your desire to be “Mary.”
Much love!
Cliff Sullivan says:
July 23, 2010 at 2:41 am
God’s mission for my life is to love. A love that changes the world. Your on the right path to being the best version God has intended for your life.
You have a really sweet spirit. I would be blessed to have someone like you in my life.
Cliff
Anonymous says:
July 31, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Thank you for being an amazing testimony to God. It’s been an encouragement to see you stand up for what you believe in, act on it, and to give God all the credit when its all said and done.
May God bless you abundantly as you move forward with Him.
Aneliese says:
August 1, 2010 at 2:37 am
I was once told by a woman that “You’re too blessed to be stressed, and too anointed to be disappointed!” I don’t know if you’ve been told but it’s true. You’re a genuine woman who loves the Lord. I pray that God gives you the desires of your heart.
blessings and love,
a sister in Christ
Nik Gibson says:
August 7, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Hey Tenley, my name is Nik, I’m 18 and I’m from New Zealand yaya! Last night the bachelor series with you in it just started. Crazy huh, late as I know but whatevs. It was crazy, after the first episode I saw you and your super beautiful inside and out and after that first episode I thought you were gonna win it. So after watching the bachelor on tv I typed your name into google to see how far you got. I came across this website, I read your BIO and i was hesitiant at first to read it cause I didnt want to know the results of the show but I carried on reading and saw that you didnt get the ring in the end. I watched on youtube your part of the final rose ceremony and a few interviews you had afterwards with ellen etc. From what I saw of you and your blog named ‘blessed’, things really hit me. After seeing you on tv and reading your BIO and blog I became sooooo encouraged as a christian. I mean flip, you on the other side of the world with not even meeting you, you have encouraged me in that my future with God and Jesus is gonna be unbelievablely amazing! Soo excited! Soo encouraged! Soooo siick haha! Having complete trust in God makes things soo much easier. I just wanna say that you are a true woman of God. You are representing yourself and God so amazingly. Your being such a great role model to others, I mean if you can encourage others then you are a blessing, by blessing others. Thanks heaps by just being true to yourself, true to god and by blessing people like me on the other side of the world by doing what your doing. Like you say, you and I and all others are soo blessed. Praise to a wonderful God for what he has done and is doing in our lives. FTP – Faith Trust n Prayer.
Elly says:
August 8, 2010 at 3:35 am
I want you to know that your humility and tenderheartedness is a example to me. You have kept choosing to live life fully-even after many painful events-and that determination to live the way God has called you to impacts me. I also appreciate very much that you aren’t afraid to include little tidbits now and again about your relationship with God, like the way you used the scripture verse in this blog. I have found myself growing fearful of saying things that demonstrates a relationship with God openly to others, and I genuinely think that defeats a large part of why God placed me on this earth in the first place. Thank you SO much for the beautiful and sweet example you set for so many people.
Cassie says:
August 9, 2010 at 6:50 am
I love this blog and the simplicity yet extraordinary life lesson behind it. I love the line where you say “I have to count my blessings and do watever I can to show love to the hurting. This really touched my heart and I hope I can take the message and live it out in my life even more than I am doing now. Thank you for sharing.
Shari Worthington says:
August 13, 2010 at 8:11 am
Tenley,
I don’t know you, and no, i have never met you, but what I have just read in your last two blogs has compelled me to write you a message. I must admit that I have seen you on t.v. on the bachelor etc. The most remarkable thing that makes me feel like I should write to you is the epiphany I have had just now. All my life I have been meeting new people, moving to new cities, and experiencing all that life has to offer. The single and most unique thing that has kept me, to this day, in awe is my experience with meeting or talking to people just like you. Without fail, without knowing anything about someone, the light that shines from within truly reveals itself upon minutes of seeing/meeting/listening to/ or reading someone’s blog. You have been one of those people in my life now.
The most important thing I can say is this. There is a reason you shine, and i’m sure you know it as you say that God is what is important, and should be important, to you. And when you are your true self, true to your very creation.. its apparent.
I have to admit to you that I haven’t been attending church regularly since I was in highschool.. (now i am pursuing my graduate degree in law school). But, without fail, the people that I might, and are different, unique, and have that passion inside of them… well they are the ones who stand out, and it always seems to be because they are living their life for something more than themselves.
So, from a stranger to another woman… I just wanted to let you know that you brightened my day/night/week. The fact is that you are another person that has proved to me that genuine, kind-hearted, and creatively inspired people are present and living in this world.
And while you didn’t write it in this blog, but another, your parents are right… Do not worry. You are only human. But, know that light is shining through you, and even when you think no one is benefiting from that… you’re blessing others just by being yourself.
Happy weekend,
Shari Worthington
Courtney says:
August 17, 2010 at 2:36 am
LOVE that scripture in James!!
Morgan Denham says:
September 16, 2010 at 1:47 pm
This blog is so inspiring.
jw says:
September 24, 2010 at 3:05 am
Wow! u are like so luky to have freinds like that one. it must be cuz u r so sweet and like a princess. 2 bad u didn’t win the mony but least u habve kitybn. will u work in hollyowwood now? like a acrtess?
food sales says:
November 30, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Thanks for the great Post – very COOL!!!
facial cleanser says:
December 21, 2010 at 5:01 am
Easy to understand,I like it!
Jae Wernimont says:
January 25, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Thanks for posting, I like this blog!
Rachel says:
February 19, 2011 at 4:58 am
Tenley,
You are inspiring! I’m so glad that a successful woman like you is not ashamed about sharing the goodness and love God has shown you. I wish that all the desires of your heart will come to pass. I have those moments as well, but I get encouraged to remember that this life is not all about me. Keeping on shining like the star that you are.
P.S. I’ve always loved your personality on the Bachelor.
Mayra says:
July 11, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Hello Tenley,
I can totally relate to you on this. Sometimes I find myself worrying about everything when I should really trust God. I have two beautiful children and a wonderful husband that I love so much. The more I concentrate in all the negative things in life the less I smile. This blog not only reminds me to enjoy my family and life everyday but it inspires me to be a better person for myself and my family. Sometimes I also forget how lucky I am to have what I have. We are so blessed my friend.
Thanks for sharing your blog.
Wish you well in your job and in everyday life situations. I’m going to Speak Love, Act Love, Live Love.
Thanks Again!