10 Things To Do To Improve Our Self Esteem? Part 1

1.  Positive Self-talk or Acknowledging Your strengths: You don’t have to talk to yourself out loud! However, studies show that you remember more when you hear yourself “thinking” out loud. Say, speaking positive affirmations and positive thoughts will do wonders to build your self-esteem. Try it! Say out loud, “I’m a good person!” Say it till you believe it. Then say it some more.
2. Enjoy some “Me” Time: Just a little “Me Time” can be a few minutes that make a world of differance!  It can help you cope with stress and anything life tosses at you. That was what I loved about going to France. On my first visit, I discovered that the French have a  “me time” custom that is both healthy and wise.  Us Americans would fine it absolutely bizarre… It’s called Siest – a short 10, 20-30 minute nap, rest after lunch. In the village my wife Joan Winifred and I were at (before kids we traveled to France a lot) Vertou (ver-too)… a cute little village north of Paris in Nantes, France. After lunch, I needed to pick up a calling card to call home and the bank and all the shops were closed. With Google maps I found the boulangerie (bakery) that had my wife’s favorite “Pain au Chocolat” (Chocolate Croissants) and the first time I ever seen a sign Siest in the window. It said, in English, “closed for siesta time.”  It is the time many Europeans take “me time.” Joan and I Adopted that tradition instantly.  At one point we spent three months in Europe, and we never missed our siesta. 🙂
3. Show Respect and Receive Respect: My father always said redspect you need to earn, but being respectful to others doesn’t require a coup or tyrannical rule.
4. Show Love and Receive Love: We talked about love already in part one, love and showing love and the many forms of love is essential for a healthy relationship. There are four types of love, most common “Philia (Greek: φιλία) is the love between friends or Friendship.” “Charity (Agapē, aγάπη) is the love that brings forth caring regardless of the circumstance –  recognized as the greatest of loves.” “Affection (Storge, στοργή) is fondness through familiarity (a brotherly love), especially between family members,” and the one most would guess is recognized as the greatest of loves, but would be wrong; “Eros (ἔρως) love in the sense of ‘being in love’ or ‘loving’ someone.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Loves)
5. Practice Giving: We’re not always accustomed to give, besides maybe at birthdays and/or holidays which are obligatory.  Try giving without purpose, rather desire to please.  It is always more joy in giving then there is in receiving.  We’re not talking always about financial gifts. You can give of yourself volunteering, or maybe just helping out a friend or an organization.  Or even donating gently-used clothing or other items.

Stay tuned….