You Are Beautiful Inside and Out

by Dona Lyman

Many times, the quality of our lives can suffer because of the way we see ourselves. Believe it or not, most professional women do not have a very high level of self confidence. In fact, most women find themselves in a constant battle with that dreaded "inner critic" telling them "you're nothing", "you're no good", "you can't do that", "you are ugly", "you are fat" and so on.

Our culture seems to take us and divide us into parts- kind of like a chicken. This culture then takes a good, hard look at each "part" and then will proceed to tell us what is wrong. The message that is received is that you are broken, or that you need to be fixed. The truth is we are not broken. We may need to work on some things, but we are certainly not broken.

Our society then sets standards of an "ideal woman." As we go out and try to achieve this "ideal woman" status, we find ourselves comparing ourselves to someone who doesn't even really exist. The irony of this notion of an ideal woman is this ideal woman never seems to be the same from one day to the next. One day small breasts are in, and the next they are out. One day, tall is good, the next day short is better.

From every woman that I have both coached and spoke with I have found a few common truths. First, every woman feels inadequate, or not up-to-par at least some of the time. Second, every woman experiences fear at one point or another. Third, you are not alone in how you feel.

The bottom line is that your thoughts about yourself today could make or break your future. What can you do? First, stop fueling yourself with self-induced poison. By constantly feeding yourself negative scripts, your are sowing the seed of despair. Second, start encouraging and motivating yourself to succeed at being exactly who are. Celebrate every inch of you. Begin to love the gifts that you offer this world. Love those gifts, live those gifts. Begin to find the confidence to fulfill your destiny. Flaws that you think you have may actually be something will attract another person to you. Lastly, make peace with the past. Yesterday has forgotten you already, so why don't you forget it and move on with living the life you were meant to live?

You are Amazing!

by Dona Lyman

"Use your gifts to faithfully serve others with grace as only you can."

-Dona Lyman

You are amazing! As a woman you are gifted with the amazing ability to transform into anything you need to be in an instant! You are a nurturer, a referee, a nurse, a Girl Scout leader, a soccer coach, a corporate executive, a maid, a cook, a wife. You stand tall through the storms of life hanging onto your faith and determination. You celebrate life and are always there to lend a helping hand.

You were created with special gifts and talents that only you possess. You were personally shaped, molded, and created by God to be needed, to be loved, to be a blessing and to be blessed. Each of us are filled with a treasure so rich in value. This treasure is meant to be shared with others as well as with ourselves. Don't forget to celebrate the most important person of all, you!

At times when your strength seems to be at a loss, and the waves of life keep knocking you down, know that you have direct access to an unlimited amount of a divine power source. This divine power never leaves you and is supporting you, holding your hand, mending your bruises, and guiding your way. It's a soft cushion that can soften even the hardest of hits. This power source is also telling you not to limit what you are capable of achieving to your past experiences. Open up to the divine power and let him weave new, extraordinary things into your life. I can guarantee you that God's plans for you are far beyond your wildest dreams! All you need to do is be open to receiving them.

Remember that wonderful blessings come to you each day whether you acknowledge them or not. Try to tune into the blessings and forget the daily irritations that detract from your happiness. And remember, you are amazing!