What do you see when you look into the mirror?

A nose that is too big?
A glaring pimple?
A plain jane?
The world’s most beautiful person?

A person you accept, whom you love, flaws and all?

Self esteem.

How you view yourself is directly related to your happiness.

A person with low self esteem tends towards depression and negativity.

Unfortunately, many parents, afraid their kids get swollen headed, make remarks that affect the child’s self esteem.

‘Such a clever kid,’ a friend may remark.

“You’ve got to be kidding. He did so badly in his exams,” comes the reply.

That doesn’t to much for the boy’s self esteem does it?

‘Your daughter is so pretty,’ says a friend.

“No way. Look at that big mouth. So uncouth,” comes the reply from a   mom or dad who is worried the girl would end up vain and proud.

All those attempts at fostering humility may well backfire. The boy grows up thinking he’s stupid. The girl ends up thinking she’s ugly. Both grow up with low self esteem. 

Parents have a huge part to play in shaping their child’s self esteem.

So what do you do if you suffer from low self esteem?

For starters, give yourself a break. Stop knocking yourself down.

Write down all the things you have achieved.

Take up a hobby you love.

Go do something you always wanted to, but never got down to it.

Show yourself some love.