Shyamala looked at her friend in envy. It was hard to believe that they had studied together in school. As she took in her friend’s stylish clothes, her glossy hair, her well turned out figure, Shyamala felt frumpy and dowdy. She felt at least twenty years older to her friend, unattractive and insignificant. As she listened to her friend’s success story, as owner of a chain of beauty parlours, Shyamala felt her self-confidence slip even further. She suddenly felt a non-achiever.

A time comes in every woman’s life when she feels that she wants to be like some other woman. A time when her self-esteem takes a nosedive and she starts to have doubts about her contribution to life.

Don’t worry. This happens to the best of us even to the women that we secretly admire.

Like Shyamala, we are constantly programmed by the world to be like other women. And that is why we are so hard on ourselves.

Most of us don’t spend enough time thinking good things about ourselves. Learning to love ourselves as we are, gives us the motivation to move forward.

So, it’s time to say goodbye to self-doubts and insecurities.

Time to stop comparing yourself to every other woman you meet.

Time to embrace self-confidence and hold your head high in self-esteem.

Like all of us, you see yourself in the mirror everyday. But when was the last time you nodded your head in approval at what you saw?

No, this is not a lesson in vanity. It is an exercise to appreciate and look at yourself lovingly.

This exercise is more than skin deep. It is an inventory of what you like about yourself.

Take at least twenty minutes off to stand in front of the mirror and really look at yourself.

Continue to gaze approvingly into the mirror until you find ten things that you absolutely love about your face and hands.

Start from the top and work your way down. Consider everything.

You may not like the colour of your hair but you are pleased with its thickness.

You may prefer a fair skin but you are pleased with your clear complexion. You may not be happy with your height but you are pleased with your slim figure.

Learn to accentuate the positive. Write all this down in your diary.

Now, think about the aspects of your personality that you like.

You may not be a good talker but you are praised as a listener.

You may not be too good at cooking, but you are a patient and loving mother.

You may not keep a spick and span house, but you make people feel at home.

Write all this down. Don’t stop until you have listed at least ten things that you like about your personality.

In your most loving voice, tell yourself how wonderful you are. Tell it out loud.

This week, discover, flaunt and celebrate your authentic assets. Be willing to search genuinely for your glorious possibility. Rejoice in what you are instead of bemoaning what you are not.

Remember, there is a connection between self-nurturing and self-respect. You have everything to gain by celebrating yourself.

You have everything to gain by celebrating yourself.