[I am Woman-Words, Thoughts and Reflection] It's okay to be you :)

[Sasha Shantel]

I enjoy inspiring and promoting positive self image. It took me a while to get here, but when I did, my sense of self could not be diminished. You realise you are confident, when you can eat on your own, go out for a walk on your own and spend as much time with yourself as possible.

Sometimes you can get slightly caught up in society and what being 'normal' is. I remember a few years ago, I watched a programme about unruly teenagers and what supposedly made us tick. Now, I have never ever liked these type of programmes, as they tend to put all young people in a box and suggest that they all want, do and behave in the same way!

One part that will always standout to me is when a psychologist made the damning comment that young people who swore, spat, cursed their parents, gained ASBO's, acted unruly and blamed their hormones for their madness were all NORMAL. Whereas, teenagers who did not do any of these things- Young people who studied, and didn't take drugs, didn't sleep around and lived a reasonably clean life were NOT NORMAL.

SO just so you read it correctly- Those teenagers who swore, fought, and behaved in anti-social ways, and took drugs and drank excessively and had sex with everyone but their neightbours dog! were NORMAL.

Now for a long time, I couldn't quite comprehend what this so-called expert was saying. It was a very un-nerving claim, especially hearing it from a person with such influence. It was indeed a damning comment. Is it any wonder that so many young people watch television and develop life long complexes because they are told that they do not fit or belong?

This is why it is so important to develop a strong self image. Being comfortable in your own skin is essential if you truly want to survive in this dog eat dog world. You will be continually sold an ideal- one that will dictate to you how you should look, how long your hair should be, how tall you can be until your considered grotesque, how short you can be until you are considered stubby! It sounds silly, but unless you work on your confidence and fine tune what your values are and what you will stand for. You will fall prey to the ideals and beliefs of others.

Have you decided what you will stand for? Do you know what makes you unique? and not in a physical sense either. Have you established what your passions are? Have you taken time to find out who the REAL you really is?

Life is not easy, but it is a whole lot more do-able when you stand in the mirror and get to know the woman, man or child looking back at you. When you love and respect and welcome yourself with open arms, the world has no other chance but to open up and allow you in also.

It is absolutely okay to be you, and if you don't think you are important. Re-read this blog until you do.

:)

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Posted By Sasha Shantel to I am Woman-Words, Thoughts and Reflection on 5/14/2010 02:21:00 PM