The Courage To Be Myself

I have the courage to... Embrace my strengths ~ Get excited about life ~ Enjoy giving and receiving love ~ Face and transform my fears ~ Ask for help and support when I need it ~ Spring free of the Superwoman/Superman Trap ~ Trust myself ~ Make my own decisions and choices ~ Befriend myself ~ Complete unfinished business ~ Realize that I have emotional and practical rights ~ Talk as nicely to myself as I do to my plants ~ Communicate lovingly with understanding as my goal ~ Honor my own needs ~ Give myself credit for my accomplishments ~ Love the little girl/boy within me ~ Overcome my addiction to approval ~ Grant myself permission to play ~ Quit being a Responsibility Sponge ~ Feel all of my feelings and act on them appropriately ~ Nurture others because I want to, not because I have to ~ Choose what is right for me ~ Insist on being paid fairly for what I do ~ Set limits and boundaries and stick by them ~ Say "yes" only when I really mean it ~ Have realistic expectations ~ Take risks and accept change ~ Grow through challenges ~ Be totally honest with myself ~ Correct erroneous beliefs and assumptions ~ Respect my vulnerabilities ~ Heal old and current wounds ~ Savor the mystery of Spirit ~ Wave good-bye to guilt ~ Plant "flower" not "weed" thoughts in my mind ~ Treat myself with respect and teach others to do the same ~ Fill my own cup first, then nourish others from the overflow ~ Own my own excellence ~ Plan for the future but live in the present ~ Value my intuition and wisdom ~ Know that I am lovable ~ Celebrate the differences between men and women ~ Develop healthy, supportive relationships ~ Make forgiveness a priority ~ ACCEPT MYSELF JUST AS I AM NOW I just started counseling two weeks ago for depression and she gave this to me. I just thought that I would share. Blessed Be! Sherry

I wish everyone's surgeon would give this out to all the wls patients! I think it is so important for us all to develop this attitude about ourselves. With obesity being the stigma that it is in our society, so many of us feel like less than we are. I mean, I KNOW I am an awesome person, but everyday life chips away that self-confidence until I start to question my self-worth. I for one need to remind myself that this surgery will change my appearance and my health, but not who I am as a person. I will be making a few copies of your post to put in various spots around the house and at work. Thank you! Sheila