It’s no secret to any woman who has lived more than a minute or two that the way women are treated in our society isn’t always fair. The mixed messages we women receive can encourage low self-esteem, challenge our self-confidence, and make it really hard to see what magical and beautiful living beings we truly are.
We’re too tall, or not tall enough; too fat or too thin; our bodies are too curvy or too straight or too athletic or too soft; we’re told not to be too strong but continue to bear the weight of everyone’s hopes and dreams without ever concentrating on our own.
It’s time for that to stop, and it begins RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, with YOU. Dr. Hyder Zahed, a contributor to The Huffington Post, asserts in his December 2014 article entitled “The Power of Spoken Words” that:
“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”
The article goes on to state that when we speak, we should speak in a way 
that conveys respect, gentleness, and humility. That’s a great way to look at it, but language also refers to how we speak about others.
I am strongly asserting, right here and right now, that the way we speak about ourselves – the words that we use when we talk to ourselves, or about ourselves – is critically important. Much more important, in fact, than the words we use when talking to others.
We’ve gotten so used to downplaying our own individuality, our successes and strengths, and what makes us uniquely who and what we are. We’ve gotten so used to “hiding our light under a bushel” that we don’t even realize when we’re doing it anymore.
One of the “truths” imprinted on me when I was younger was that I should never “get above my raisins” – and it had nothing to do with dried fruit. It was a way of telling me not to think too much of myself – not to brag, or boast, or rejoice in my intelligence or my strength – don’t try to rise above my circumstances, or my history (individual, familial, or societal), or what was “expected” of me.
Today, right here and right now, I want you to consider whether you’ve 
been exposed to similar programming, and I want you to throw out that program. To use a technology analogy, press Ctrl-Alt-Del on that program and interrupt it forever.
Start TODAY, right NOW, to change that programming. It’s not going to happen overnight – it’s going to take time, and you are SO WORTH IT.
Check out the bulleted statements below – start with just ONE of them and say it aloud – loud enough for your ears to hear your voice saying it. Say it with conviction, with purpose, with FEELING. Say it enough times that you know it by heart, and then say it some more.
- I am strong enough, smart enough, and good enough.
- I find authentic joy in my own existence.
- I have self-love, and my self-worth is enough.
- I recognize that my abilities are enough.
- I have more than an adequate amount of talent and skills.
- I have peace in my heart and soul because I recognize that I am enough.
- I have love and compassion for myself.
- I practice kindness, and what I do each day is enough.
- I let go of the limiting beliefs that affect my self-worth.
- I am enough the way I am right now.
- I am strong enough to handle challenges.
- I am smart enough to make wise decisions.
- I am brave enough to live life on my terms.
Use these affirmative statements to help turn around negative thinking or programming that is holding you back. Repeat them daily – or hourly if you need that – and give yourself the gift of time to help them “stick.”
You are worth the time and effort it takes to undo years of programming and create a NEW program for your life, your heart, and your soul.
