Building a Positive Self Image Starts With You.

by Joi Harris

How do you see yourself? That is one of the most important questions that a person can ask themself. We are all have a mental picture of who we are, what we look like and what our talents are.  Our lives and everyday experiences help shape how we view ourselves and that is what is called a self image. Our self image contributes to our self esteem which is how we feel about ourselves.

This is why it is so important to have a positive self image. If you view yourself in a positive way, you will feel better about yourself and that will reflect in the way that you live your life. There are ways to build a positive self image because sometimes lets face it its easier said than done.

The most important thing to remember is that you are enough. The media can show an unrealistic picture of how people should look or act and you may feel like you have to live up to that standard. Understanding that you are unique and that you are enough just as you are is the first step to building a positive self image.

The next thing to remember is that you have people who care about you and accept you. Your family and friends love you just the way you are and want you to be happy and grow up strong. That is just as important to them as it is to you.

Building a positive self images means understanding who you are. What do you like ? Do you like to read? Do you like to draw? Do you like to sing? Think of your talents, your strengths and your dreams and use those to help you develop your sense of self.

There are even clubs and programs that you can get involved in so you can get a sense of community and a place to make friends. Organizations like Girls in Power bring girls together in an environment that builds self esteem and prepares girls for their futures.

Girls in Power offers programs that discuss body images and how to develop a healthy lifestyle as well as learning about the negative effects of low self esteem. How we view ourselves plays a major role in not just how we treat ourselves but in how we treat others.

Here is a video from three lovely ladies as they discuss what it takes to be yourself, to be happy and to begin building a self image that is positive and beautiful. Jessica Lizama, Nikki Phillippi, and Miranda Mayo star in the video and talk about some issues that affect us girls and what we can do about them. Watch the Video HERE

After you watch the video discuss with your family and friends about your self image. How do you see yourself? How do you feel about yourself? Look in the mirror and make sure you say hello and remind yourself that you are special and you are enough.

Get more information about Melinda’s Coaching Programs HERE

Creating a Strong Foundation to Face Life’s Challenges

by Benjamin Marta

Have you ever felt like you’ve had a strong foundation in life only to see it crumble away when challenging times arrive? Really? Yeah, me too. Although, it’s nothing we can’t learn to fix together. We just need to better understand how to build a strong foundation that can stand the test of multiple hardships.

In the G.I.P. curriculum, G.I.P founder Melinda Rae teaches us how we can better prepare ourselves for facing these difficult times by learning how to place big rocks first to create a sturdy and strong foundation.

What Do You Mean By “Big Rocks”?

Well… big rocks… literally, like the ones you pick up at the river or on the beach. These are the type of rocks that stay in their current position for a long time. They aren’t bothered by the rain, wind, or snow. They are strong enough to face the challenges mother earth throws at them while they continue on living their awesome rock life.

How Do I Build a Strong Foundation?

Melinda uses the cool metaphor of rocks in a jar to demonstrate how a strong foundation works and how we can learn to create one. She says that “life is like a jar of rocks” and that once we know how to put each item in its correct place, we can then handle most anything life throws at us. Melinda believes the jar contains four items and describes what each of them represents to give us a better understanding of her metaphor. Below is how she describes them:

• Jar: This is you
• Rocks: The most important things in your life
• Pebbles: Important things, but things you can live without if you had to
• Sand: Things you just like to do that usually take time from the important things
• Water: God, who holds us all together  

Now that we know what each item represents, we can take a few moments to discover what each one represents to us individually. We can even write them down on a piece of paper so we don’t forget. I’ll do it with you too. Don’t worry, I don’t mind waiting. I’ll be here when you get back. Go ahead, think away… got it? Ok, good.

Once we have taken this time to identify what each item represents to us, we can then start to place them inside of the jar. Melinda says we need to make sure that our “big rocks are laid down first… and the little pebbles are on top.” The reason for this is because if we put the sand or pebbles at the bottom of our jar, the weight of our big rocks will cause the foundation to move and eventually fall apart. But if we place the big rocks at the bottom they will stay firmly in place to create a strong foundation because the pressure from the pebbles and sand isn’t strong enough to make our big rocks move.

Melinda says that “learning to place ‘big rocks’ in the Jar first will give you a strong foundation. Having a strong foundation and not one made of ‘sand’ will assist you during challenging times.” So, the next time you feel like your foundation is crumbling, think about what you’ve identified here today as your “big rocks” and see if they are in place as your foundation. If you have accidentally placed sand or pebbles as your foundation, no worries, all you need to do is a little adjusting. Once you put those study rocks at the bottom of the jar, you will be able to make it through the many challenges life may throw your way because you have built yourself a strong foundation.