10 Simple Ways To Improve Your Self Esteem Now

One of the most problematic issues facing many of us, is issues on self-esteem. For many of us, all you can think about is not feeling good enough, not being tall or short enough, not being dark or light enough, or not having longer or straighter hair.

Fact, low self-esteem can keep you from stepping out into the world and claiming what is rightfully yours. Here is my list of 10 ways to reclaim and improve your self-esteem.

1. Remove or limit negative and/or cynical people (or make their access to you more difficult)

2. Replace them with people who are positive and influential. (This is where your discerning eye will have to take over, there are tricky ones out there)

3. Look at your good qualities, remind yourself of them daily

4. Learn how to accept constructive criticism and make necessary changes, but remember, no one is perfect.

5. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT compare yourself to anyone else. (I remember doing this during my divorce, it played a significant role in the delay of my healing process)

6. Accept the fact that life has ups and downs, it is important to just keep going.

7. Take care of your body and grooming, this will help you to feel more confident when around others.

8. Relax and learn to listen and observe others without being biased, you will feel more confident when dealing with people if you have an unbiased view.

9. Stand up for yourself when being disrespected, Do not allow anyone to violate your rights. I don't mean pick a fight, just kindly let them know "I see you, do you see me,... now let's get on the same page"

And finally,

10. Make it your own personal learning journey, no one can tell you exactly how to go about improving your self esteem, however, if you make it a journey for yourself, it will become an enjoyable experience.

Inspirational Poetry by Kimberly Edge

Never Lose Yourself
by Kimberly Lanell Edge

Never let them drift away in a whirl of wind

The dreams and goals, aspirations, you

Through my eyes, talent left to rot is a sin

Determine we must our lives, a clue

There are many talent-filled, but shiftless

Knowledge abounds, the potential, but trapped, forsaken

Obstacles, low self esteem, the plagues, one

Not I, I declare, not a piece but the pie I have taken

Your foundation, your chance that foot in the door, you must create

When an opportunity knocks, rend the door from its hinges

Never lose the faith that carries you, never wait

Perhaps I am extreme, one of the few, one of the fringes

Let us hasten together through the narrow opening, I transmit

Let us, not just I, remember the rest, fulfill the ultimate

I am only sure of one truth, my destiny

And as I rise, you shall rise with me.

Kimberly L. Edge

For more visit: http://sistapreneurs.ning.com/profile/KimberlyLanellEdge/

Thank you for allowing me to post Kimberly :)

Fitness Inspiration

As the Temperature Rises
by Toni Gaines, Certified Personal Trainer
July 8, 2008

As we transition from spring to summer, where temperatures will soon hover at or above 100 degrees, we will need to protect our bodies if we want to remain healthy. Almost daily we hear reports about protecting our outer shell, the skin, by using a sunscreen. Sunscreens assist us with maintaining good skin health by reducing our risk of various forms of skin cancers; however as you lather on your sunscreen don’t forget about helping your inner body facilitate its optimal health.

At this time of year, to maintain a healthy body, we need to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Water helps regulate body temperature, it helps prevent dehydration, it hydrates the skin, it assists with preventing constipation, it lubricates the organs and joints and most importantly it aids the body with metabolizing stored fat.

So, as we move toward the dog days of August with looming record temperatures to come, remember to protect your skin by using sunscreen, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and protect your mind, body and spirit my giving it what it needs the most….water.

If drinking pure water becomes or is unpalatable for you try using lemons and or limes for flavoring. Another way to make water tastier is to add fruits such as blueberries, sliced strawberries, raspberries or your favorite fruit to it. It will become mmm, mmm good when the fruit is left overnight in the water before drinking.

Toni Gaines, Certified Personal Trainer
All About The Fitness
(214) 546-8168
www.AllAboutTheFitness.com

The Perception Deception

Understand that your perception of life determines how you will live. Trust me when I say everyone has times of struggle. Do not allow these times to shape you into an individual who perceives that the world is against them.

Assignment:

Take time to evaluate your belief system and answer these questions: Who do you believe you are? Who do you believe you will be in the future? Do you live in the past?

In order to achieve a vision of clarity, you must create it. In other words, do not blind yourself in the past experiences of your life, instead move forward and upward with a new vision that you create for yourself; Then believe in it and you will soon start living in it.

"Cover" Two Thumbs Up

I give this movie a two thumbs up. It brings awareness to some of the issues we are forced to face today. It includes topics on infidelity, spirituality, betrayal and much more. A must see.

Synopsis:

"When someone is murdered on New Year's Eve, the prime suspect is VALERIE MAAS, a church-going home-maker whose life unravels when she discovers that her husband of many years has been leading a double life. Her strength of character and faith keep her going as the revelation of her husband's betrayal threatens to destroy all that they have known"
For more information: http://www.coverthemovie.com/

Get Tested

Did you know that black women are most likely to be infected with HIV as a result of sex with men who are infected with HIV. In fact, 67% of black women with HIV contacted it through heterosexual sex with men they trust.

Know your status, take control, and inspire other women to do the same.

Source: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
Get the facts.

Make The Choice

Through quiet desperation and unfortunate events in your life, you will either rise to become a better, more productive person, or by choice, wallow in the defeat of those events.

You have a choice to let your subconscious mind take over your actions in a positive or negative way. You hold the key to your destiny and future no matter what plate you have been given.

With that being said, changing your mind to positive and productive thinking machine may in fact require an attitude adjustment and/or an adjustment to your environment.

When you make the choice to move forward and succeed, you may have to tell those around you not to take it personal. Some will understand, some won’t, but just remember that it is your future at stake, and the choices you make will determine your destiny.