Self-Esteem ~ Do You Have a Good One?
Back in my day the two words self-esteem started to become prevalent and we were told to have a good self-esteem. Today we more likely state self-esteem as self-image. As an adolescent I thought a good self-esteem sounded great so I would ask, “ok, how do I get a good self-esteem?” Adults would look at me in disbelief that I did not know how to obtain a good self-esteem and reply, “It is a good idea to have a good one so go for it.”
Basically, we were told to have a good self-esteem but seemed the educators, counselors, and parents telling us to have self-esteem had no idea how to guide us to recognizing what it really is and how to obtain or sustain a healthy self-esteem.
Working with youth today, I talk about self-esteem/self-image and ask the following questions regarding self-esteem/image; here is my analysis of response:
|
Question: Self-Esteem/Image
|
Yes |
No |
| How many of you know what self-esteem is? (Raised Hands) |
35% |
65% |
| Who can tell me how to obtain a positive self-image? (Raised Hands) |
2% |
98% |
| Who can tell me characteristics of someone who has a positive self-esteem? (Verbal Response) |
2% |
98% |
| If I told you when you leave here today with a tool-box to create and sustain a positive self-image will you give me 40 minutes of your undivided attention? Fair? (Raised Hands) |
90% |
10% |
I do not know about you, but I know I am NOT ok with our youth of today still confused and not allowed to think outside of the box of what we call “fitting in”. Our youth have completely lost who they are and God’s purpose in their life.
Here are qualities and tools for a healthy self-esteem/image:
- Be of good character (values, thoughts, feelings, actions)
- Live by the Golden Rule; treat others the way you would want to be treated.
- Live in reality vs. reality television.
- Find the potential in self and others.
- Lift others up when in need (bully factor).
- Failing forward is ok, learn from failing and move forward without self-hate.
- Responsible for actions and words.
- Have people in your life, who will believe in you, make you feel special.
- Do something positive in somebody else’s life.
- Make a list of positive qualities you want in your life and apply them.
- What do you do well, and keep doing it.
- Keep doing what makes you excited.
- Strive to be better tomorrow than you are today.
- Who is a real-life super hero in your life? Write the qualities you like about them and apply them to your life.
- Remember, today is not forever and if you mess up start over. Life is an adventure, not a test.
“If you give, you will receive.” Luke 6:38
Look UP and OUT my Friends!
Tracy Worley
For more resources go to:
http://www.selkirkctg.com/services/hero2one/ or http://jmtyouthmax.com/
Keep up the Good Work. This hit home. As I was growing up I often wondered how to get good Self Esteem. Like it was something you found on the street or in the grocery store. Because there was no focused explanation or process for process for realization it was tough.
Chris, we must have lived on the same blog because this is just as I found myself and those around me being told to have a good self-esteem but no one was able to show or tell me how to do it. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing with us!