Everyone says that they love his or herself.  We are trained to say it and embarrassed if we don’t say it.  From the best clothes to accessories, we dress ourselves us to appear as if we are loved and cared for and valued.  We smile when it’s appropriate even when we are really hiding pain or painful times.  We laugh at jokes, post insanely on Facebook, pics of good times, we hang out, talk and party all appearing to have fun and be happy.  Yet you would be surprised at how many people do things, entertain and pretend for a life that they want instead of working to have the life they desire.

No one walks around displaying or announcing their insecurities and I’m not suggesting that they should but there is a difference between ‘not displaying’ your insecurities and pretending that you do not have them.  Pretending removes the possibilities of working on them.  You cannot change what you refuse to address, without admitting your weaknesses you will repeat them consistently.  New levels, different people, similar scenarios, and yet experience the same old cycles.

A completely negative perception of yourself is not only unhealthy but inaccurate as well.  Likewise, a completely positive perception of yourself is unhealthy and inaccurate.  To be successful and happy requires a balance view of who you are as a person.

• You’re human. You have good habits, bad habits and ugly habits. However, your habits are things you do, it doesn’t say who you are.
• You’re more than your biggest accomplishment or greatest failure. Those are both things you did.
• Who you are lies in the way you handle the ‘ups and downs’ of life. Who you are is your ability to get up after being knocked down.  Who you are means being honest about your shortcomings without allow the shortcomings to define or limit you.
• Everyone has something that they do, something said or even preferences that set them apart from others. Other people are not required to like it or even understand it, but they must respect those differences.  That begins with YOU respecting your own differences.
• We do integrate with society, general rules of engagement and there is a certain level of behavior that is socially accepted however, those general rules should not make your individualism disappear.
• Be mindful of the words you use to describe yourself. It’s not healthy to repeat what others say about you all the time, depending on the matter in which they say it and the message that their statements make about you.
• Speak good things to yourself daily and never allow negativity to have the last word.

It doesn’t matter how good people look on paper or even in public, no one is perfect.  We are a complex people with different gifts, diverse expectations and unique thoughts and methods.  Embrace your uniqueness even when it feels uncomfortable.  Tell yourself daily how great you are.  Remind yourself of the things you have come through and things you’ve overcome.  Acknowledge your gifts and strengths.  Know your weaknesses but don’t live in them.  You cannot build from a place of discontent and hate, but from a place of contentment and an expectancy of change.

It doesn’t matter how the world views you, if you don’t have a healthy view of yourself you will not prosper.

ENHANCE your view of YOU!