Building Blocks For Self-esteem

When we're hesitant to do something we've never tried before or afraid we're not good enough to be around certain types of people, we are sometimes told by others that we lack self-esteem.

Although it's easy to understand what it is, it's obviously not that easy to achieve because there are literally thousands of books and courses on how to have self-esteem. Many go to therapy for years at a high cost in order to have it even though it sometimes remains forever illusive and distant from their grasp.

It seems to me that it would be easier just to shut the door on our insecurities and reinvent ourselves. This would more than likely make what we want happen rather than waiting for life to happen to us.

This could take a little work, but not much in the scheme of years of therapy or deep study. While we're involved in all this self-improvement stuff life is quickly passing us by.

To avoid wasting time stressing over what can't be changed, here is a practical guide that will help you overcome some of the most common areas where our self-esteem is attacked. Fix these and you'll begin to notice that you like who you are when you look in the mirror every morning.

First, see yourself in control of who you are. This will keep you composed and confident no matter what the challenge. And when you feel a bit more challenged than you can handle, look to God for greater strength. He really wants to help. So we should let Him.

Following some great Biblical advice for wisdom, don't engage in gossip about others. Doing this is cruel and can have serious repercussions, but it will also cause you to think that others are criticizing and judging you. This will keep your self-esteem in low gear.

On the other hand, one of the best ways to have confidence is to stop comparing yourself to others. Start seeing the uniqueness of your character. Make a list of all the great things that make you different in a positive way. Feel good about who you are, it feels good!

Taking on new changes when it's beneficial to your goals or personal situation will also build your confidence to a new level of accomplishment. Change challenges us and tests our flexibility, adaptability and alters the way we think (for the good).

Changes might make life difficult for awhile. They may even cause some stress, but change can help us find ways to improve ourselves. Change will be here forever, so we should always be ready to embrace it when it's beneficial to our well being.

Going with the flow of change will also help you avoid wrapping yourself up with all the negativity in the world. Keep your mind centered upon what you can do to control your life than what appears too difficult to handle.

For instance don't react to all the negative news you read about in the newspaper or see on television. Believe by faith that you are safe, that you have money in difficult financial times, and that you know how to make the best out of the worst situations.

In conclusion self esteem is a choice that brings about self improvement, true assessment, and determination. You can begin putting up the building blocks of self esteem by being positive. Be contented and happy. Be appreciative. Never miss an opportunity to compliment others. A positive way of living will help you build self-esteem every day.

STALLING FOR TIME

So many are called to rush

But haste makes waste in life

And what is rushed into will crush

Understanding must be birthed in discipline

Thinking procure self control for peace

But how many understand these things

Life will call you back without breeze

But you must learn to move learning

Patience calls on the haste makers

For life is but a step a day

How many have died without banners

Thinking swiftness makes the life

Stall for time to make plans

For looking without plan kills future

Run the race in that known

For soon the world will cry sure

Salau O John©

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DON’T MIND RE-STARTING

Have you run your race falling?

Have you searched for friends in isolation?

And have seen life without oiling?

You can rebuild, restart that journey!

Have you seen the ups and downs?

Have you run your past in fear?

And you feel its late for dawn

You can remake, retake that journey!

Have you lost your visions, missions?

Have you lost your goals, your souls?

And the world betrays your salvation

You can go, back to your journey!

Have you cried your frailties, fights?

Have you failed life, family, and friends?

And you feel no hope harp light

You can go back, start over that journey!

Salau O John©

The Wonderful World of Creativity and faith

Very often we can be bogged down with a problem and really struggle to find a solution. The creative juices fail to flow and we become totally frustrated at our total lack of creativity.

So do we resign ourselves to the fact that we are obviously not the creative sort?

Or can we train ourselves to think with creative spirit?

Firstly let's define creativity. Creativity is the ability to solve problems with new methods to accomplish daily tasks. This can also lead to new insights and visions to help achieve goals and obtain success.

So is creativity inherited?

If we look at children at play we can see tremendous examples of creativity. They can take every day objects and create totally new games to play. The playground is full of wild imagination and creativity.

So where did we loose it all?

Routine
As we have seen, children have an inexhaustible ability for creativity. But as we get older life becomes full of instruction. Restrictions are placed upon us and we lose a lot of the ability to think for ourselves. Creativity flies out of the window. Systems and repetitiveness stifle creativity. Strict time tables, daily routines, working in closed areas and desk jobs all hamper our imaginations.

Free time
It is virtually impossible to avoid all routine but what we do need is to develop some free time. Put aside one day per week where nothing is planned. Just let the day unfold and "go with the flow". Spend time going to places like the seaside or strolling through the woods; places of natural interest with open spaces. At work create a few minutes of free time. There are some people who spend their free time alone and then spend that time thinking of work. They even take that work to bed and dwell on work issues as they fall asleep. These people need to develop free time un-associated with work for the sake of creativity and also for the sake of their sanity.

Left brain – Right brain
Our brains are divided into two hemispheres- the left brain and the right brain. The left side deals with our logical and reasoning thought patterns. Our right side of the brain handles intuition and creativity. Much of our work life today asks us to use logic and reasoning and therefore our right side of the brain becomes somewhat redundant. Ideally we need to exercise both sides of the brain to get the most of our cerebral abilities.

How's best to develop creative thinking?
1. Understand that there is no exact solution to a problem, but there will always be more than one solution to that problem.

2. Don't give in to false beliefs. If we believe there is no solution to our problem then there won't be. Have faith.

3. Never restrict or dismiss thoughts. Two silly thoughts may well lead to a third good thought.

4. Break away from routine when thinking of solutions. This allows for a better flow of creative thoughts.

5. Brainstorm. Ask others. Again two ideas that may seem ridiculous may lead to a third, sensible idea.

6. Take time occasionally to do something not done before.

7. Put aside some time as free time.

8. Spend time with creative people. Creativity is infectious and we may be pleasantly surprised as to how creative we really are when we compare ourselves to these people.

We needn't be restricted to a path of logical thinking. We all have that wonderful ability to be creative. Breaking away from routine and giving ourselves time to think will stimulate creative thinking and then we will find that no problem will ever be without a solution.

How fantastic is that?

JUST A STEP

It’ all just about a step

It looks out of place, difficult

The starting is never obvious

Though the end is known unfretted

But I call a step in seconds

Though not many understands starting

The facts lay in doing something

But only that of passion must reckon

Just a daily dose of movement

Everything starts, ends with strides

Though not everyone hoped in acknowledgement

Yet, the timing must time in steps

Life in fruition must might

But folding hands connotes mistakes

The days must shine even at night

But no step is sighing success today

Salau O John©

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

There are many ways to riches

But in integrity follow your heart

There are many ways in relationships

But follow your heart – holiness part

There are many ways in business

But follow your heart in truth

There are many ways in examination

But in reading rightly follow your heart

There are many Christian religious ways

But in understanding follow your heart

There are many mysteries in life and says

But your hearts in God please follow

There are many difficulties in making it

But your heart in dreams, persistence; follow

Your heart lays the foundation to fit

But many things allowed can deal

Salau O John©

What Do You Do If You’re Stuck On The Wrong Career Path

Many people finally realize they're on the wrong career path or they've reached a dead end in their job at a time when it's not so easy to turn around and begin again. The majority of us didn't understand how to take what we enjoyed as children and turn it into a fulfilling career so we took employment solely to earn a living.


There is certainly wisdom in making a choice to work, and all honest work efforts should be praised, but there comes a point when the heart begins to cry out that it's just not happy through signs of boredom, lack of concentration, and perhaps massive complaining about one's work.

Believe it or not, choosing the right career is not a cerebral decision, it's a matter of the heart. This is why some children can know from almost the time they can speak what they wish to do. For instance, my brother was a late bloomer while I knew my career choice from the time I was in standard four (primary four), though I had my ups and downs.

Children are more in touch with their hearts and this is why they can easily know what they will do with their lives. However, if we don't have someone to guide us into that fulfillment or we don't have strong, determined personalities, we'll disregard what we once enjoyed as childish dreams when we become adults.

When I finally decide to look into myself and work things for the best and figured out my purpose in life, it turned out to be what I loved to do as a child. I loved writing, singing, teaching and art and even got published in magazines and poetry circles newsletters. However, I was consistently told as a child that everything I did had little or no worth. So I lost my dreams and lived with a void for many years.

So if you find yourself dangling on the precipice of boredom with your career or job, it's time to turn back the clocks and examine what you enjoyed to do as a child. First of all, I just want to say that its not positive to blame anyone for keeping you from your dreams, and that includes your parents. In order for career discovery and development to take place you'll need to lovingly forgive and forget everyone who you believe didn't have your best interest at heart when you were a child.

Once that is done, take time to remember all instances in your childhood where you had joy and fulfillment. Ask yourself questions such as what did I enjoy doing at school, in my alone times, or with family and friends?

If the answers aren't forthcoming right away, don't push. Just continue with your current work and do it to the best of your ability. No matter what it is, it's still important work because it holds a function in life. It just isn't your heart's desire. So respect your current work for a feeling of fulfillment and success. These are important character traits you'll need in order to move forward with your life's work.

Once you have the answer you'll know because suddenly you'll feel as if a thousand fireworks have exploded all around you and your heart will be pumping fast with excitement. You'll feel the resurgence of life and at that point you'll be ready for development.

This is the part that's going to take dedication and commitment, but as you gather up all the information you'll need to become the person of your dreams, you'll find the path that will lead you from where you are today to where you belong.

THOUGHT I COULD RUN

I’d thought I could run

But I was burning inside

I had no where to turn

As my days call me back

I thought to forget my true identity

But the clouds won’t let go

Daily I hide away my identity

As all eyes peruse nothing here

The blind is seeing more here

While the dumb speaks of truth

And the lame runs faster; dear

Never knew life has a meaning

This no hiding place bothers

From above the call say see

“All flesh are grass in banters”

But I thought I could run

Salau O John©

YOU’VE GOT TO MOVE

Nothing ever stays the same

As life teaches many lessons

All things go through changes

We are flesh and bones

Nothing ever remain the same

And nothing will forever on earth

The truth must go on and live

Someday we’ll go without breathe

Education truly must go on

Changes must be in perfection

We are born for growth

Life seeks nothing but salvation

As we go on living this reign

Let’s count the changes we’ve plan

As life will call us back again

Even relationships must be built

Salau O John©

JUST FOR TODAY

Nothing can change today again

You only have one life, living

Understanding may not have rain

You need your steps for today

Folding hands connotes failure

And tomorrows regret is reflecting

Life and success must be sure

Though temptations bothers all

You only have today to walk

And tomorrow pays no regret

Opportunities today not luck

Repetition may not shine light

What must be today must be

Though the world says it’s impossible

Only one chance says you’re free

The world waits this alone

Salau O John©

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