Be Kind to Yourself

Recently, I did a workshop on stress management for a group of teens in the local community. Among the many topics we covered was a question that I posed to them about themselves. I asked each of them to make a list of their positive attributes, both physical and mental. I was not surprised to learn how hard this task was for them to complete. As one of the teenagers said, “It is easier to just say what I don’t like about myself.” I thought this statement reflected the majority of America’s youth and even adults that share this sad sentiment. Why?

Well, a key factor to this question is the way our culture exposes us to various types of media that shows and tells us what the perfect person should look like and act like. As young girls flip through magazines and watch online commericals, they see scores of skinny models who have been airbrushed to cover any so-called flaws. The result is the “Jane-in-the-box” look pretending to live in a perfect world. Who can live up to this type of perfection and why should we?

I believe strongly that we are made to be just who we are and that our life goal is to be the best of who we already are, not to become someone totally different. This is much easier to say than to actually practice, but it is important to like ourselves. If you struggle with this, try making a note of the characteristics that make you special and one of a kind. In addition, highlight your physical traits that make you especially unique. Hopefully, you learn to embrace those that are different and make you….you.

At the end of the day, remind yourself of the positive things that happen to you today. And above all choose to be kind to yourself.

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