If you get to the point where someone is telling you that you are not great or not good enough, just follow your heart, and don’t let anybody crush your dream. — Patti LaBelle
Wise words from Miss LaBelle, although they can be challenging to honor. In childhood, there are mixed messages everywhere: at home, in school, from friends, from the pulpit. Some of these messages are hopefully telling you that you are a wonderful, creative, limitless work in progress. But some may also be giving you the idea that you are not good enough, strong enough, brave enough, smart enough, loveable enough…on and on.
It becomes your adulthood job first, to recognize the messages that damage vs. the messages that heal. Which ones are accurate and true—and which need to be tossed. Part two is sticking to your guns, reminding yourself everyday through self-talk, affirmations, meditations, whatever it takes—that you are OK just the way you are. You and your dreams are valid. You are a glorious work in progress.