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Happy to Be Me!
A Kid's Book about Self-esteem
By Christine A. Adams, Robert J. Butch, R. W. Alley Abbey Press
Copyright © 2001 Christine Adams and Robert J. Butch
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4976-8298-6
CHAPTER 1
What Is Self-esteem?
"Self-esteem" means how you feel about yourself.
Good self-esteem is a feeling inside that reminds you every day, "I am loved. I am good. I am happy to be me." Good self-esteem means knowing you are a wonderful person—because God made you that way.
You don't have to be the fastest or smartest or best-looking kid to have good self-esteem. You're a star just the way you are!
Who Are You?
You have a first, middle, and last name. You have a certain kind of hair, skin, eyes, and smile. You are good at some things and not as good at other things.
People may say, "You seem like a very nice girl." Or, "What a polite boy!" Or, "You're really good at that." Sometimes people may say things about you that are not so nice. But the words people say about you are not who you are.
So who are you, really? You are a special child of God. You are someone who deserves to be loved. And you are loved—by God, by your parents, and by many other people.
Everyone Is Different—and Special!
If you put ink on your finger and press it on a paper, it will make a certain pattern. No one else in the whole world can make that same fingerprint.
There's only one YOU. You don't need to do anything special to be special—you already are !
Every child is different. Kids come in all kinds of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some kids speak English. Some speak Spanish. Some speak Chinese. Some kids use sign language. God gives each one special love.
You Are a Gift to the World
Everyone has special gifts to bring to the world.
James is good at making people laugh. Alisha knows just the right thing to say when someone is sad. Luis can fix things that are broken. Jameel helps collect money for the homeless. Renee draws beautiful pictures. Other kids look to Chris to help settle arguments during kickball.
The world needs all kinds of people with all kinds of gifts: helpers, fixers, peacemakers, artists. What special gifts do you have to give the world?
Be Your Own Best Self
There may be times when you are not glad to be you. You might even want to be someone else.
Maybe you wish you could play soccer like Harrison, sing like Kathleen, or do math like Ben. Maybe you feel like your dad or mom wants you to be "the best" in something, but you just can't seem to get it.
No one is the best in everything. Some kids can do math but can't play soccer. Some can play soccer but can't sing. Some can sing but can't do math. You have special gifts that God gave you.
Be Your Own Best Friend
You can be your own best friend by taking good care of yourself.
You can eat good food and stay away from things that are bad for your body. You can wear a bike helmet. You can be sure not to play with dangerous things or in dangerous places.
When you are your own best friend, you ignore the voice inside you that may say, "I can't do this because I'm not good enough." You tell yourself instead, "I can do this. I am smart enough to try by myself or ask for help."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Happy to Be Me! by Christine A. Adams, Robert J. Butch, R. W. Alley. Copyright © 2001 Christine Adams and Robert J. Butch. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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