Written by: Andrew David McDowell, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Confidence, Passion, and Inspiration. What do these three things have in common? They are all desired by the human race to be in ourselves and to be surrounding us. We exhibit high energy about ourselves when we feel we have these in our lives. It is contagious. We were created to have these in our lives and our light is shining to the world when we exhibit these qualities in our behavior.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not asking you to look in the mirror and blow kisses to yourself (unless you really feel like it, and why shouldn't you?). What I'm talking about is the profound understanding and acceptance of oneself that ultimately leads to healing, and consequently, to the nurturing of confidence, passion, and inspiration.
Building Confidence, Passion, and Inspiration Is A Process
Imagine your self-esteem is a houseplant (stay with me here). Self-love, in this scenario, would be the sunlight, the water, and the soil it needs to thrive. Without it, your plant is destined to wilt and wither. No matter how much you try to prop it up with external validation or accomplishments (let's call this the plant-stick approach), it'll never be as healthy and radiant as it could be with that golden self-love sunlight.
But where does this self-love originate from? Well, it’s not the tooth fairy leaving gifts under your pillow. I'll tell you that. It's a process, often a challenging one. It stems from self-leadership, from taking charge of your own healing journey, just like a patient becoming their own health advocate.
Think of it this way: you wouldn’t expect a broken bone to heal without a cast, right? So, why do we sometimes expect our minds to heal from past traumas without the necessary tools and processes? The cast for our minds, in this case, is self-leadership. It’s understanding your emotions, recognizing the wounds, and starting the healing process. In the end, you might not get a 'get well soon' balloon, but hey, self-love is a pretty fantastic consolation prize.
The Foundation Of These Three is Value And Self-Respect
So, how does self-love translate into confidence, passion, and inspiration? Well, once you begin to value yourself, you inherently develop the courage to pursue what you love – there's your passion. You start to believe in your abilities – voila, confidence! And as you heal and grow, your journey itself becomes a source of inspiration, not just for you, but for others as well.
But remember, don't rush it. Self-love isn't a microwaveable ready meal. It's a slow-cooked stew, it takes time and patience. Sure, everyone loves the speed of a microwave meal, but let’s be honest, no one ever raved about the quality.
It Takes Work…But It Is So Worth It
Ultimately, self-love isn't the fluffy, feel-good concept it's sometimes made out to be. It's about getting down and dirty with the nitty-gritty of who you are, facing your past traumas, and leading yourself toward healing. It’s like becoming your own superhero, just without the impractical costumes and city-destroying battles.
Just remember, the next time you're feeling down, don't reach for the plant stick. Open those blinds, let in the sunlight of self-love, and watch as you transform into the vibrant, flourishing person you're meant to be. As I always say, start with the why, but don't forget the who.
Oh, and one more thing – you might not get a 'get well soon' balloon, but I’m sure there’s an “I love myself” mug somewhere out there with your name on it.
Andrew David McDowell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Andy is an engineer by trade and a creative by nature. He spent 22 years with the Boeing Company, where he always felt more like a life coach than a boss. In 2002, he began his journey into entrepreneurship within a Corporation when he was asked to develop an Airspace Design Consulting business from scratch that would serve the global government market. Andy has a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgia Tech in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State. Naturally, his aviation work took him around the world and enabled him to work on high-profile projects ‒ such as preparing the Beijing and Sochi Airports for their respective Olympic Games.
