How many of us truly believe that we are beautiful? You are Beautiful is the first story in my book of inspirational short stories, and I wrote it because I truly want women to know that. There are identifiable benefits to knowing that you are gorgeous inside and out. One is that a positive self-image fosters a rise in self-esteem and confidence.  High self-esteem will create that “can do, I deserve the best, and I’m going to go get it” attitude that motivates people to strive for and achieve success.  In a recent newsletter I received from The New Memphis Institute, an organization dedicated to nurturing the city’s up and coming leaders, they shared that it has been scientifically proven in studies that people reporting higher levels of self-confidence tend to be healthier and treat themselves better than people without it. Also with the rise of bullying among our youth, high self-esteem is greatly needed. It allows us to ignore those who choose to try to shroud us with statements about ourselves that we know aren’t true and the courage to put them in their place when needed.

In my 20’s I didn’t think I was pretty enough, my body was curvaceous enough, or that I was deserving of great things.  I wanted everyone to like me and hadn’t yet realized that is impossible. There is always someone who will have a problem with you and often it will be people who don’t even know you. Needless to say, the value I placed on myself was wrapped up in my value to others. I was one sad soul. In time I learned to love myself, flaws and all. I’ll never be perfect but when I look in the mirror, I see a beautiful confident woman who believes that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” I may not always apply myself as well as I should but at least I know that the potential is inside of me. I just need to tap into. Now, what led to this attitude? I’m not ashamed to say that it was a man. My boyfriend in college recognized that my self-esteem was dragging on the floor like toilet paper stuck to the bottom of my shoe and took it upon himself to change that. He told me regularly that I was beautiful and that he loved me and that I was worthy of his love. Actually he didn’t just tell me, he showed me. He allowed the love God has for us to manifest itself in him in order to transfer it to me. In time, his positive affirmations invaded my psyche and I began to act like all the positive attributes I knew I possessed. For that, I will forever be grateful to him.

However, you don’t have to have a man to accomplish this. You can do the same thing for yourself. I want you to look in the mirror and identify at least five things about yourself that you think are beautiful. They can be something on the outside as well as the inside. I bet you have nice eyebrows, a winning smile, a kind heart, or a great sense of humor. Revel in your own beauty. Unleash the power of positive thinking and know that you are one of God’s greatest creations. You do yourself a disservice by not acknowledging the awesomeness of His handiwork. The God I serve doesn’t make mistakes only masterpieces.  You are beautiful my sisters! Internalize that knowledge and love yourselves like only you can. You’ll be happier. I promise.

Please share with me the answer to this one question, “Who first told you that you were beautiful?”

By the way, the winner of the second book in the Things Every Good Woman Should Know Friends Giveaway is Ava Flatt. I am proud to present to you with “The Naked Pen” a compilation of anonymous short stories by Oosa Book Club. Congrats and enjoy!

Click here to learn how you can win a free book. “Things Every Good Woman Should Know Volume 1” is on sale for only .99 cents for a limited time on Amazon.com.