Recently I completed a book series for kids that deals with emotions, friendships and acceptance. Although written for children this series has some underlying ideas that can be brought into our adult world.
In Grateful Giraffe a school assignment has the giraffe having to define what she loves about herself. But she wasn't sure just what to say.
Throughout the book Grateful learns how others see her, and how she can appreciate herself. This book, at a child’s level, is about self-love. But, in an adult view it shows the importance of a steady cultivation of self-awareness. The giraffe becomes aware of her motivations for doing things, she learns about how her actions affect others and she starts to understand herself. When we learn more about ourselves, our motivations and our responses, we can get a better understanding of what we want from the world, what dreams we want to reach.
Book Recommendation:
Grateful Giraffe
“Grateful didn’t think there was much to say.
She wasn’t special, she was just okay.”
Look in the mirror
It is often difficult for us to look in the mirror and find things we like about ourselves. But what about looking through the eyes of others? The interactions we have with others will often mirror how they see us and what they see in us.
When I did a drawing tutorial through Social Art Community an idea for a story came to mind that emphasizes this:
The shy unicorn, with the rainbow tail
Was sitting quietly by herself
When who should come by to greet her
But her good friend Chatty Elf
“Hey Uni, watcha doing?
How are you today?
Your colours are looking lovely.
Hey do you want to play?”
Uni gave a little smile
Chatty always had nice things to say
She wished she could be just like him
And see herself the same way.
Chatty Elf had an idea
About something they could do
“Let’s play mirror,” he suggested
“You be me and I’ll be you.”
Uni didn’t quite understand
This game Chatty had in mind
But she knew if she was to be him
It meant being sweet and kind
And with this game, before she knew it
Uni had lots of words to say
About the unicorn in the mirror
The one that Chatty played
Then Uni realized
What she saw was true
To see herself like Chatty did
Wasn’t that hard to do
And now the shy little unicorn
With the rainbow coloured tail
Looks in the mirror and says something nice
Every day, without fail.
Become Self Aware
Self-awareness can help us properly define our dreams and help us truly believe in ourselves and what we want to do. Keep track of who you are, who you are becoming and what you are learning along the way. When we believe in what we are doing, we become more innovative, creative and present.
Andrea Mondoux, Holistic Nutrition and Health Coach and Founder of Balance + Bliss offers insight into this in her new book You Actually Can Do This.
By sharing the vulnerability of her journey from personal struggles to knowledge and power Andrea will inspire you with tips on how she transformed her own life from someone who was feeling hopeless to someone who is empowered.
Andrea is here to tell you that you already are exactly who you need to be. You are beautiful and all you have to do is believe it. Stop living your life with excuses. Stop thinking you aren't enough. Stop telling yourself you need just one more diet.
