"I BELIEVE IN YOU" By Deborah Deras

I recently spoke to a group of middle school and high school students in Minnesota. You know what they say, "When the student is ready the teacher will appear." Well these 1500 young people were awesome teachers for me. I was asked to do a general motivation talk to get the students to become more involved in student activities as an incentive to strive for good grades. The lesson actually turned out to be about self respect, self esteem and self love.
 
At first I was daunted by the task to keep hundreds of pre adolescents engaged. That was until my Life Coach reminded me that what these young people wanted is the same thing we all want to be accepted and appreciated. I began to relax and get excited about the event.

In my research, I found that the topic of bullying is so prevalent in today's schools. I spoke to them about how the biggest bully is our own negative self talk. When we  say, "we are too short, too tall, too fat, too thin, not good enough etc. It all starts around eight years old where we become socialized by the media and our peers to feel that we are different, not good enough and unworthy.

After the speech a young girl who I had made eye contact with in the audience came up to me and gave me a hat she made out of paper. It was adorable. She put it on my head and proclaimed with passion and conviction, "I believe in you........" My tears welled up with emotion by her heart felt gesture. This was an affirmation I had them saying to each other. Her immediate application of it to me was a demonstration that she had embodied the teaching. I was so touched I wanted to cry. Another young person gave me her teddy bear, than a Gatorade and the gifts came pouring in. One young ten year old boy even told me I was beautiful (tu eres muy bonita) in Spanish.

The smiles and hope on the faces of these youth were so inspiring to me. I am still on a high a month later. It was obvious by their feedback that they remembered who they are as perfect, whole and complete.

We all have a little child within that wants to be acknowledge, appreciated and adored. It is the belief that we are not smart enough, good enough or worthy enough to pursue our dreams. However, this is only a limiting belief that was passed down to us. It is not the truth of who we are. The truth is each of us our magnificent able to create anything we desire. Any relationship, career, income, peace of mind. Anything! But we have to believe in ourselves. Learn from my teacher the ten year old girl that said, "I believe in you." Use this as your mantra to take a step today that may push you outside of your comfort zone but will allow you to fulfill your dreams.

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved, Deborah Deras. This can not be duplicated without permission from the Author.