A Confident Woman

I am a confident woman. All-in-all, I like myself. I think I am pretty smart, creative, funny, and caring. I think I am a good person. I like my smile. I like my fair skin. I like the way I think and who I am as a person.

What does it mean to be confident?

It means that I am willing to speak my mind. It means I am able to express myself. It means I don't compare myself against others or feel inferior when there are others who have succeeded or who have strengths I may not share. It means I am comfortable in my own skin. It means I don't often feel guilty, because I make decisions I stand behind. It means I feel "good enough" and "deserving".

What does it NOT mean to be confident?

It doesn't mean I think I am perfect. There are plenty of things I am working on about myself, and plenty more on the list for the future. There are other weaknesses I have come to accept, even if it isn't what I would necessarily choose for myself in a perfect world. I am flawed, as all humans are. But being flawed isn't something to feel badly about. I choose to focus on what I DO have to offer instead.

It doesn't mean I think I am better than anyone else. As a matter of fact, it has NOTHING at all to do with anyone else. Confidence comes from within, not from comparing yourself to others and feeling superior. Because I think I am a good mom doesn't mean I think you are a poor mom, even if you parent with a completely different style than me. Because I think I am a good artist doesn't mean I think I am the BEST ARTIST IN THE WORLD or that there aren't even beginners who have vision I don't share.

It doesn't mean I think I am always right. Ok, it does. I think I am usually right FOR ME. But what is right for me isn't necessarily right for you. I can tell you how I handle my child's tantrum, just in case it might work for you. That doesn't mean if it doesn't work for you that I think you are a bad mom. It doesn't mean that I don't get that there are countless variables in every family dynamic. You are not me. Your child is not my child. Your husband is not my husband. Your house is not my house. The way I say something isn't necessarily the same way you would, so what works for me could have completely different results for you.

So...

If you find yourself feeling guilty or inferior because of something someone else says, think about it. Do you really think their intent is to make you feel unworthy? Or do you think that maybe it just could be that you lack confidence? Because when you feel you are doing and being your best, there is nothing to feel inferior or guilty about. When you are confident in yourself, you are able to do things your way with no apologies and no worries about what other people think.

Think about it.