As a child, I enjoyed the same classic children’s books that many of us did, like the wisdom found in Aesop’s Fables… and laugh-at-life, witty-rhyming poems like those in Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends.
And later on, being slightly older reading the adventures of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona and Beezus series and Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew mysteries.
These were all powerful growing-up children’s books on the school library shelves back in the day that helped us grow our imagination, laugh more, think wise, have more fun, and enjoy the element of surprise and catharsis.
They empowered us as young people to think.
They helped shape our growing-up minds… and gave us the idea that there is more to life and it’s bigger than just what we knew in our neighborhoods.
Words from books helped us to think about possibilities in the world (pre-internet of course!). And they taught us about life and practical truths that we had questions about.
And as adults these days, we’re never too old to empower ourselves to keep the young, curious spirit alive and remind ourselves often that we matter.
Timeless classics such as Aesop’s tortoise and the hare fable teach and remind us that slow and steady wins the race. And the 31 Bible Proverbs gives us monthly daily wisdom that helps spark positive self-thoughts for a better today and tomorrow… and to help get us to the finish line.
We are empowered to do more in this life than even we know is possible today. And reminding ourselves of our power to grow inside us never gets old.
These are 30 important self-empowering thoughts that we all can use and be reminded of today:
1. I am loved.
Because I am here, I am loved. I don’t have to do anything or be a specific somebody to be loved. I can just be.
“Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.”
Am I loving myself?
2. I have peace.
I am filled with a sense of freedom from worrying about _____.
“Peace be with you.”
Do I feel peace?
3. I am beautiful inside and out.
As I age, I become more beautiful as a person. I may have even traded in my old caterpillar self for my new butterfly life fluttering around in life’s abundance.
“Outer beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates.” -Kate Angell
4. I have infinite wisdom.
I operate from more wisdom today than I did a decade ago. I’m not the same exact person.
I’m better and the world is gaining from me showing up with better self-wisdom.
5. I am strong.
I have areas of great strength. I’m going to pay attention to where in me I’m naturally strong.
Maybe I’m a good listener or I have strong arms or knees.
And I am strong in healthy convictions for what I stand for. And when I’m weak I’m strong because I lean into areas I need to make me stronger.
6. I am unique.
“By being yourself, you put something in the world that was not there before.” -Edwin Elliot
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
No one is you except you.
7. I am creative.
I was born with creativity. I may not be able to get creative every day, but creative new ideas are born daily in me. Some good ones I can use or sit with for a moment and let go of others to share the wealth and let others take action on the same idea formed in them.
8. I am grateful.
I look at ways to be daily thankful, find the blessings in the daily miracles, and appreciate what I have by seeing what life used to be like or could be like from others who are less fortunate in those areas I’m grateful for.
“The grass is greener on the other side.”
I’m on the other side.
9. I am contributing.
I have offered to the world the most valuable things to me. And I have so much more to give, and that will give me more.
I’m going to make note of ways I’ve grown into a better person and today are more helpful and have become useful to the world.
10. I am calm.
I don’t let my situations raise stress in me.
I know I’m better off and make better decisions by staying calm every day.
11. I have control.
I don’t let my emotions or thoughts control me. I manage my self-control so that I’m not the source of problems, and that leads to better relationships, finances, and health.
And I’m patient.
“Haste makes waste.”
…Aren’t you glad you waited?
12. I know where I’m headed.
I know which direction I’m heading in and have a few ideas in my guiding gut as to what my next steps are.
I’m constantly working on improving and that always leads me to the right and better path. And I know what directions I won’t take again, and that helps lead to a better life.
13. I am healthy in both my mind and body.
I respect and take care of my inter-connected mind and body even better than I take care of my material things.
I have peace about myself. I don’t let thoughts that hurt my actions take over.
I think regularly about how I maintain a healthy body so I can live longer with more energy.
“Laughter is the best medicine,” and “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
14. I am organized.
I’m organized and that helps me feel at peace because the weight is lifted off my shoulders. And I have more time to work on my priorities and things I enjoy.
15. I am helpful.
I use my skills, gifts, and abilities to help the world.
Just this week I helped ____________.
16. I’m giving.
I help, collaborate, give, and share with the world.
“Do unto others as you would like done unto you.” (The Golden Rule)
17. My life has meaning and purpose.
I matter. And I’m here for a reason besides what I do to put food on the table.
My being matters.
18. I have intelligence.
I am smart and naturally wired for intelligence in specific areas that I know today and some I’m looking forward to discovering.
19. I have hidden talents and abilities that will emerge when I’m ready.
I can encourage or support, teach, know, and lead. And as I use these abilities, I will get and grow more.
20. I’m destined for success with my beliefs.
Where I started small, I can end up big. Through time I’m gaining experience and wisdom that will be productive.
The last often finish first.
21. I have joy.
Today I will have joy. And tomorrow I will have joy. I will use my senses to find joy…
[Every day I will find evidence that I’m lucky to be alive.]
This can be from seeing nature or beauty out of my mind, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
…From tasting something delicious or comforting that I savor.
…From smelling something pleasantly fragrant that calms me.
…From touching something that is soft.
22. I belong.
I know where I belong in the world and have groups that I belong to.
They share beliefs and thoughts for similar causes. We share and do life together.
And I’m at ease with them as they are with me. There are always loving people around who support me. And I’m meeting new people all the time.
“When one door closes, another opens.”
23. I know who I am.
And I’m valuable to the world whether or not the people that raised me or my family of origin gave that to me or not. They did the best they could…
And my worth is not based on their lack and what they didn’t know. It is what I better believe and the more amazing person I choose to become, despite my differences that make (and made) me stronger.
24. I am forgiven.
For all my past wrongdoings, I am forgiven. And in my overflow, I can forgive others who really hurt me, so that I can move on peacefully.
25. I am healed from past wounds.
I have forgiven those who hurt me. And I released those burdens so that I can be healed. And I have purged those emotions from me.
I use old scars to be the best person I can be to myself and the world.
26. I have healthy interests that keep me curious.
Staying in wonder keeps me growing and young at heart. The kid in me never dies even though I’m glad I grew up.
27. I have grown
.
I’ve not reached my destiny, but thankfully I’m not where I once was. And I’m making progress every day trying, taking two steps forward and fewer steps backward.
It’s okay to be the tortoise. I’m in my own race.
I know when I’ve won.
28. I have self-confidence.
I am able and capable…
And unstoppable.
29. I feel good about my future outlook.
I have a lot in store for the future. And my positive outlook will help me get past and through tougher times.
Going through is the fastest route with the deepest impact on the other side.
30. I know my good values.
I know what is important to me and I will not waiver in my integrity to myself that the world benefits from.
My good intentions will bring about the best outcomes that lead to the doors that are meant for me.
And I will not worry that I made a wrong turn because I acted truthful, good, and kind. I will be rewarded because of my good intentions.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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You may also like these posts on The Good Men Project:
White Fragility: Talking to White People About Racism | Escape the “Act Like a Man” Box | The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer | What We Talk About When We Talk About Men |
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Photo credit: Степан Галагаев on Unsplash