COMMENTARY
“If you hear a voice within you say, you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” This famous quote is by the marvelous painter in the 19th century, Vincent Van Gogh. To me this quote means to have perseverance and push forward even though some people will be against you. This can be a difficult task without confidence.
According to dictionary.com confidence is the belief in one’s own abilities; having self assurance. As a teen not fully understanding one’s self can make confidence sound like an impossible accomplishment. Before I can go on to speak about how you can become a confident individual, first I must give you the signs of low self esteem.
Most believe that low self esteem can be traced back to being abandoned, feeling unloved, or abused in the early childhood development stage.
According to troubledteensparents.net some signs of low self esteem can be continuously wrangling about petty issues, being timid, and unconvinced of your excellent qualities.
As you can see, these are not the best traits someone can have to describe their character. Low self esteem can lead to depression which can lead to a common tragedy known as suicide.
To steer clear away from the negatives we must build confidence. Ways to build confidence is to gain a positive mind set, celebrate progress in small victories, pat yourself on the back every day, and to be active. Sometimes half of our problem is inside our minds. If we think that we cannot do something then we won’t but if we turn that into a positive and say if we believe we can do something then it will be accomplished.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” As I stopped to read this famous quote by my favorite first lady, she gave me an understanding that fear is more of a mind set to oppress others or even our selves.
“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are,” Malcolm S. Forbes once said. Most times we compare ourselves to those we wish to be like instead of looking at the different ways we contribute to society. Every obstacle that you have conquered, you should celebrate because whether it was big or little you did it.
Another way to gain confidence is to be active. Join an extra curriculum activity or a sport. It will help build self worth, as well as help you to open up to new people. You will also be able to learn to set goals and accomplish them. So remember next time when you’re all down and sad that without confidence you’re allowing the chance to be defined by others and that success is a mind set.
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