Once upon a time, in a land not so distant, there was a little girl born into a lovely family. As she grew under the tender nurturing of her parents, she became a happy, vibrant child. Soon it was time for her to go off to school and not only master her ABC’s, but to begin her life lessons.

Having been sheltered by her parents, she was shy at first, but like all children soon began to interact with great enthusiasm. She was especially good at catching on quickly to every subject she was introduced to and showed a talent for athletics on the playground.

It wasn’t long before she encountered jealousy from her classmates, and began to feel the stinging barbs from their lips. “There she goes, little teacher’s pet.” “Oh, you think you are so good at everything you do.” “Look at the way you dress – those jeans are ugly.” The teasing went on day after day often bringing her to tears. She began to believe she really was odd. The other kids couldn’t all be wrong. Her parents did their best to console their daughter and encouraged her to be herself in spite of what the other kids said, or did. She promised to try.

Things didn’t get better. She became so self-conscious that even when she knew the right answer in class, she answered wrong just to avoid being teased later. On the playground, she started fumbling the ball too, or not playing at all. She would just sit all alone until the bell rang to go back to class.

This lovely vibrant little girl began to believe all the negative things other told her and she began to tell herself she was ugly, clumsy, stupid and odd. Nothing she did was right. Then one day her teacher asked her to stay after class. The teacher looked at her with caring eyes and asked, “Where did the little girl who used to be so happy, bright and vibrant go?   I really miss her.”

The little girl began to cry, “No one likes me. Everyone makes fun of me! I can’t do anything right. I’m ugly. I don’t dress right. I’m stupid. What am I going to do?”

“Oh no. Don’t tell me they’ve found you! “

“Who?” cried out the little girl?

“Why I believe the curse of negativity has crept into your brain,” said her teacher. “Come to my mirror and let me tell you what I see. I see a beautiful little girl, full of life and talent, enthusiasm and joy. Can you see her? Look very closely.”

The little girl looked as hard as she could. but she just couldn’t see what the teacher saw.

The teacher said, “Look closer and you will see all that you are and all that you can be. Just believe in yourself and speak good words. Now look again and say these words, ‘I can do all things well. I am beautiful. I am smart.’ Say these words three times clearly and look once more.”

The little girl leaned in closer to the mirror and slowly and softly started speaking the words. Once again, she said the words, but a little bit louder. Feeling much stronger, she dared to be louder, and much to her amazement, she shouted, “There I am. Now I see me too!”

So the moral to the story is believe in yourself with all your heart, and speak positive and hopeful words clearly even when in doubt. 

PS There’s only one of you and if you won’t be you, who will?

Be sure to catch our radio broadcast, “Step by Step: Women on the Move,” on Cameron radio KMRN 1360 AM every Tuesday at noon or on the web at www.NorthwestMOinfo.com.