Solo Mother

Self esteem for the single mother

by christina on August 19th, 2007

I posted about a meme challenge to list ten things I like about myself.

I’m still thinking. I promised I’d write this today, and here it is, almost nine o’clock at night and I’ve not written a word. I’m getting up at four in the morning to go to New York; I’d better get to it, then. So… here goes…

• I like my eyes. They reflect my moods, with a range of colors from brown to green to nearly tawny gold. Sometimes, men get tongue-tied if I look them in the eye when I’m simply listening to them, and women seem to do some sort of internal double-take. Mostly, my eyes are warm and amused. I think that’s a good way to be.
• I’m pretty straightforward and honest, especially with myself. In trying to balance between honesty and kindness, I think I do a fair job of telling the truth without making it devastating. You’ll always know where you stand with me, and if I don’t know something, I’ll tell you instead of trying to make something up.
• You know, I might be plagued with self-doubt, but inside me somewhere is an iron core that holds true to my values, my ideals, and refuses to bow down or be crushed by whatever life throws at me. It has got me through some nasty places in my life, and I know it will always be there, coming to help me get through the hard times
• I’m a creative, artistic soul. I like to sing, dance, write, and throw pots. That’s throwing pots on a wheel, not at the wall. I think I could have been a professional potter, if I hadn’t been a mama. I won’t take the chance right now, not with a little guy who needs so much, but maybe someday, I’ll open a studio and create. That would make me happy.
• I think i’ve learned the true meaning of generosity, and will practice that virtue as well as I can for as long as I live. I’m not just talking about giving people things… when I think of generosity, i think of an openness of heart and spirit, a kindness that does not judge too harshly, and of a resilience of nature that can love and forgive. The forgiveness part I’m still working on, but I know that the day I learn to forgive myself is the day a great weight will drop from my shoulders, and I’ll be even more generous still. I’m looking forward to that.
• I’m loyal. It takes some time to win me over (sorry about that, Kat!!) but once you do, I’m yours for life. You have to really, really mess up to lose my love, loyalty, and support. It drives my dad nuts, but there it is.
• I’m dedicated to becoming a better person, every day. There are people on this earth who think there’s not a thing about them they need to improve, blind to overwhelming evidence to the contrary. What a sad existence! What a lost opportunity!
• I’m finally an optimist. I come to it late in life, at a time in my life where optimism and faith were all that kept me going through the hardest times I’ve ever faced. I like it. It’s pretty amazing.
• Believe it or not, I’m a hopeless romantic. Yes, me, though the divorce and the pain of living a dry, unkind marriage, I still believe in Prince Charming, or at least, a nice guy. I believe in second, even third, chances, flowers sent for no reason, love notes in briefcases, picnics by the river and calling someone just to tell them to go look at the sunset. I believe in love.
• I’m blessed with a body that’s going to bounce back, now that I’ve made the commitment to reclaim my skin. I love this, the challenge of the weights, the fatigue of the elliptical trainer, the challenge I’m facing against time and my own worst enemy, myself and my entrenched habits. As I sit/stand/walk now, I look pretty good for curvy mama of a four year old. I can’t wait til I’m where I deserve to be.

You know what? I’m pretty happy about who I am and where I am in this chessboard of life. I ‘m grateful for all I have, and looking forward to everything that’s yet to come.

It’s getting better all the time.

Now it’s your turn. Issa over at NYC Mama already submitted her ten things she likes about herself… can you do it?

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POSTED IN: Selp-help