All That Is Positive: It Begins With Passion…

[Guest guest]

It Begins With Passion…

Through-out the years, I have been described by many as a person with high

self-esteem. It is true that I value myself as a person and own a level of

confidence which I often display to the world, but on many days, behind closed

doors, I consider myself to be a shy and cautious person. So how does one who

is shy and cautious, develop a demeanor that the world views as having a high

self-esteem??? In my opinion, it comes from having the courage to be yourself

–for nobody can be you better than you. For when you find the courage to be

yourself, inner joy will come even when you least expect it.

I was diagnosed with CMT at the ripe age of nine. Weeks after my diagnosis, I

began wearing leg braces. Months after my diagnosis, I had my first surgery.

Every year since my diagnosis, I've watched my body deteriorate leaving me to

feel more and more vulnerable as the years pass by. And yet, I choose not to

stop living, learning, growing, and loving because I love being a player in this

game called life.

Every day there is something to laugh at and every year there is something to

reach for – why not be a part of that? Every day isn't meant to be rosy, but it

is meant to be adventurous.

When I was asked to write something about self-esteem, I truly did not know

which direction to go in as I do not consider myself to be a philosopher,

academic, or theorist, having some profound piece of wisdom to leave behind.

However, I am passionate about living life to the best of my ability, so I guess

this is what I would like to impart to you in this article: find your passion

and live to the best of your ability! I have a passion these days for cooking,

doing voiceover work, volunteering, and spending time with those dear to me.

Where does your passion lie???

The truth about having a high self-esteem is that it comes and goes—even the

happiest person has low moments. (Even I have had a pity-party for one from

time to time.) Therefore, if a low moment should come and you begin to

undervalue yourself: stop, breathe, and speak out loud, " Do you! " Close your

eyes and focus. Understand that nothing but you matters at that moment: your

passion, your will, your ability – YOU! Open your eyes and reset your mind to

always valuing who you are and what you have to offer the world.

As h Fromm, German social psychologist, once said, " Man's main task in life

is to give birth to himself. " So now, I challenge you to love yourself, value

yourself, believe in yourself, and let the world discover who you really are.

Denedria Banks has an MSW from California State University, Sacramento and is

the author of Melodies of My Life: A Disabled Girl's Journey to Womanhood,

available at www.amazon.com