"Trade your expectation for appreciation and the world changes suddenly." Tony Robbins
Low self-esteem can be tricky in that it makes you feel like everything is wrong in the world, namely yourself. Unmet expectations can lead you to believe that your life is one rain cloud after another. However this couldn't be further from the truth.
Do you remember coloring as a child? You were given characters or landscapes outlined with thick black lines against cream paper and with your colors you began your work. Blues, reds and greens filled in the lines, not always neatly, but the end was colorful masterpiece that was your very own. Your adult life is not so different. Lines swirl and join to outline the landscape that is our daily existence. Take your blues, take your reds and take your greens. Take a moment to color in of all that you have to be grateful for and when it is complete, give thanks for the ability to create such a beautiful masterpiece.
What things do I have to be grateful for?
I get it, this can be a hard question to answer especially after a difficult day or week or month. Here are a few blessings to consider for your list:
Special people in your life (family, friends, mentors etc... )
Challenges that you have overcome (job loss, injury, fears, life-changes etc... )
Natural beauty (you are alive, happy moments, nature, love etc... )
How can I remember to be grateful in my daily life?
Find a small object of meaning that is easy for you to carry around with you. It can be a necklace, bracelet or pocket-sized item. Every time you touch or see this object, think of at least one thing from your list that you are genuinely grateful for and say "Thank You". This singular action will allow you to incorporate gratitude into your life on a regular basis.
I'm good at expressing gratitude towards others, but what about myself?
Begin by making a conscious effort to express gratitude towards yourself for a job well done. Too often low self-esteem leads us to down play our role in success by giving all the credit to someone else. While it is important to show appreciation to all members involved for a job well done, it is imperative to take a moment to acknowledge your contribution to the achievement. By recognizing the value in yourself, you set the expectation for others to do the same.
A fashion stylist and former women's fit technologist, author Lakeysha-Marie Green utilizes her experience in the fashion industry combined with her personal journey to self-discovery to help women transform their appearance from the inside out. Her first book, The Seeds of Beauty, tells an inspiring story of restoring unconditional self-love and genuinely radiating your beauty from within. Visit http://www.theseedsofbeauty.com and download your Free Inner Beauty Affirmation to begin your own beautiful makeover today.