Many of us are driven by what others think of us. They say something negative about us and we walk in the gutter for weeks. Wouldn’t you like to know how you could possibly feel better about yourself in an instant? Here are a few suggestions to help:
Follow Through. If you say you’re going to do something, then do it. Don’t forget. Don’t drop the ball. Don’t say, “Oh, I thought someone else was going to do it.” No, If you agree to a task then have the integrity to see it through. This helps you to trust yourself more as well as allowing others to see how they can depend on you.
Practice Self-Care. Most of us claim we don’t have time to do things for ourselves. I once told a girl at the make-up counter at Macy’s that I didn’t have time to even put on eye-shadow. Now, I told her that because I didn’t want to buy her product. But when I stopped to think about it, I didn’t put on eye-shadow. I’ll never forget her shocked look. “But everyone has time for eye-shadow and eye-liner.” I claimed I didn’t. And I believed it. But it wasn’t true. I had fallen into the trap of thinking that if I spent all my time caring for others that I would be some kind of super-hero. Instead I learned that a little self-care would feed me enough to help others. Don’t forget to take care of the most important person. You.
The Attitude of Gratitude. Sounds a little corny, but when we count our blessings, we realize how truly fortunate we are. We might not realize how difficult life is for other people. But once we begin to be grateful for what we do have, we realize our blessings. Spend a few moments every day, just breathing and being grateful that we can breathe.
Challenge Yourself. Once in a while, we need to just go for it. I watched a sitcom where the mother of the family suddenly decided to go sky-diving. Something she had always wanted to do, but never did. When she returned she was so full of life no one could stand her. When was the last time you did something you were either afraid to do or didn’t think you should do? I want to have people uncomfortable around me because I dared myself to do something. It might be time to shake things up.
Finally, help others. Reach out and do something that really touches someone else. Most mental care experts say that doing for others helps us to rise above our own feelings of sadness. It doesn’t even have to cost you anything. Maybe you just need to go spend time with people singing, playing a musical instrument, or reading to them. You will enrich their lives, certainly. But the enrichment you feel yourself is beyond measure.
Photo Credit :
Self Defense Practice from “PictureYouth” via Flickr