“She sells seashells by the seashore.”

The first time you say it, your tongue ties and you feel no connection with this girl selling her shells.

The second time you say it, you hear the screech of seagulls and picture a vast beachside, waves lapping the shoreline.

You say it a third time. You can begin to imagine the sundress she wears. It’s salmon pink with a pattern of tiny white flowers.

A fourth. To protect her already freckled face from the sun, she wears a broad straw hat with a teal ribbon. On her feet, nothing but a coating of sand like cinnamon-sugar dusted pastries.

“She sells seashells by the seashore.” The more you say it, the more you believe it. The idea becomes concrete of a girl selling shells on the shore. It becomes easier to say.

It’s the same with statements you make about yourself. If you look in the mirror every day and say, “you’re a failure”, you’ll begin to truly believe it. If you frown at your reflection and pinch and prod all those areas you hate, you’ll become convinced that you’re only worthy of frowns and criticism.

As long as you accept this behavior from yourself, you’ll accept it from others.

“You are beautiful and lovable.”

The first time you say it, you feel ridiculous and a little embarrassed, even though you’re the only one in the room.

The second time you say it, you can only faintly imagine a life in which you have value.

You say it a third time. A small smile forms at the corners of your mouth.

A fourth. You look into the mirror at yourself, hold your head high, and know for a fact that you can conquer the day.

“You are beautiful and lovable.” The more you say it, the more you believe it.

Self-Affirmation Challenge

Every day for one week, say something positive to your refection. It may feel strange at first. Your tongue may twist at the strangeness of encouraging yourself when you’ve become so accustomed to negative self-talk. Your brain, creating new neurological pathways towards a new way of thinking, will at first tell you that this new practice is silly and juvenile. After your first week of self-affirmation, do another week. And then another.

Here are some self-affirming statements you can start with:

God loves you. 

You’re creative, and smart, and capable.

You’re worthy of love.

You’re doing the best you can.

You’re a hard worker.

You have a delightful sense of humor.

You’re a wonderful mother to your children.

You’ll find that when you pour affirmation into yourself and embrace God’s truth instead of the world’s, you’ll eventually have an abundance of affirmation that you can pour into others. One last thing…don’t forget to smile at yourself. 😊

Affirming the Truth About Who I Am (print-out to hang)

by Annalise Harp