This evening, I had the opportunity to be a judge in a high school Pageant that awarded college scholarships, and it proved to be a huge eye opener for me. Throughout the interview process, swimwear competition and evening gown finale, it was amazing to me to see how some were so unsure of themselves, and others were beautiful from the inside out. It got me thinking, how in the world can some of these young ladies differ so much in confidence at the tender age of 18?
Everyone obviously has a different upbringing, but how they actually feel about themselves is totally up to them. We have all heard of numerous stories of kids growing up that were told they were not going to amount to anything in life, and they still overcame great odds and were hugely successful as an adult. So my conclusion is that it is not so much the external influences, but the internal influences. What do I mean by this? I think you are the only one who can establish yourself as being beautiful from the inside out.
Think about it-how many times have you received a compliment and you said, “Oh, no, that’s not really true, I actually looked horrible in that picture”…? If this is what you are saying out loud to others, what are you saying to yourself? Or have you noticed a person that is not exactly the next Victoria’s Secret model, but just seems so enviously confident in her own skin? What’s going on inside her head? Is it possible that she has a different internal dialogue? Does she, perhaps, lift herself up, take steps when she is afraid, and is gentle with herself when she makes a mistake? I am guessing that a lot of you are not this way with yourself, or could definitely make an improvement.
Figuring out why some people navigate this world with purpose and self-worth, and others just meander along is always going to be a life long mystery. However, I challenge you to examine your own self-esteem and self-image. How do you feel about yourself? When others give you a compliment, what do you say? When you look in the mirror, how do you feel about your body? Even if you feel you are a hard worker, a good family member, and a nice person-do you feel you are living life to the fullest? Be honest. If not, let’s go through this journey together to figure out how we can get you to where you need to be. It is possible-I promise.
When I was in my teens and early 20’s, I really struggled with a positive self-image. I looked okay on the outside, but the inside of me was always in turmoil with external feedback. It wasn’t until I was able to take some steps to learn to love myself, let go of perfectionism, and really embrace who I was that I became truly happy. It’s really strange, but once I was able to just accept who I was, I felt free. I felt as if all the pressure was released off of my shoulders, and I could just be myself. Can you imagine how this feels? It’s pretty fantastic. And I really desire this for you as well. I want you to know that you are truly beautiful from the inside out, but it is up to you to accept this. Please do, because you deserve to. Having a positive relationship with yourself impacts every aspect of your life. With a bit of determination, I know you can get there too.
*The information on this site is designed for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Thank you!
~by Kimberly Olson
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