Accept You For Who You Are

By Marcia Davis-Dawkins

How many times have we heard the expression, “Follow your dreams”? At times it just seems so overused and meaningless. In this 21^st century, we are always competing for several things, especially jobs. Life simply feels stressful because of the pressures we face. At times it feels as if self-talk has to come into play to dig us out of life’s ditches. Self-talk can help us to have better self-confidence. One of the things that we should invest in is a gratitude journal where we can write down what we are thankful for and appreciate what we sometimes take for granted. If we have a gratitude journal we can also begin our day with positive thoughts.

S.M.A.R.T

On a whole, we have to accept who we are and teach people to love us. We should love ourselves as well as set standards and morals for ourselves. We have to learn to appreciate who we are before we can appreciate and love other people including our students. We should dream big and set SMART goals. S.M.A.R.T. goal is defined as one that is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time bound. Own and Hone your craft – be passionate about what you do (your passion should be in line with your purpose). Evaluate your path and progress. Stay focused no matter what the issues or the problems. We should be the best that we can be and realize that success doesn’t come overnight but we should begin our journey without fears.

Accept Yourself

Psychotherapist, Margarita Tartakovsky lists 12 Ways to Accept Yourself:

1. Set an intention.
2. Celebrate your strengths.
3. Consider the people around you.
4. Create a support system.
5. Forgive yourself.
6. Shush your inner critic.
7. Grieve the loss of unrealized dreams.
8. Perform charitable acts.
9. Realize that acceptance is not resignation
10. Speak to your highest self
11. Be kind to yourself
12. Fake it til you make it

As educators, we can help students set goals and if and when they fall off course try to get them back on track. Keep encouraging them because there is something good within all of us. We should let the our mantra be, “If a task is once begun, never leave it till it’s done. Be the labor great or small. Do it well or not at all.”