When was the last time someone told you they were proud of you?
I think this prompt needs to be turned on its head. Instead of saying “when was the last time someone told you they were proud of you,” it should say “when was the last time you told yourself, you were proud of you.”
Our self-esteem depends on our opinion of ourselves. If we are regularly criticising our efforts instead of finding ways to encourage growth—we are going to go backwards. It is okay to be proud of even small changes—it is not about who has the proudest moment—it is about acknowledging our own worth, not waiting for external validation.
For me, the last time I told myself I was proud of me and that I had done a good job was last week when I printed off the latest version of my Inspiring Hope manuscript. I hadn’t seen the changes I had made in the last six months and it looks more like a real book everyday. It looks good. I am proud of it and all that I have learnt on my journey of writing it.
Take some time and consider when was the last time you told yourself you were proud of you. If it has been a while—what are you proud of recently? Beginning this month, join me and give yourself a pat on the back regularly. This will help motivate us to take on more challenges and grow into the person we dream of being.
Well put! 🙂
Glad you liked it.
Well said and well done with the manuscript.
Thank you.
I like the idea of turning it back on me – I have been pleased (proud of) with my writing lately. Looking forward to your book when it’s published – something you must surely be proud of achieving..
Definitely. It is a worthwhile journey and something to be proud of.
After reading the prompt then this post, I think I’m gonna have to do like you did. I like the thought of being proud of yourself coz it adds up to your confidence. 😀
Looking forward to reading your interpretation. It makes difference.
I can relate more than words could tell to what you just said about writing your inspirational memoir; I cannot relate as well instead to your recent feeling of satisfaction at finally printing the last version of it, as I have had to put off my writing at my own memoir for quite a number of times; and everytime the feeling is like I’m leaving my child behind bars for some indefinite time. I hope you find this one proper enough to be really the Final Version!
As about being prowd of oneself, I guess that the pressure and the ever-higher standards for living our lives today prevent us from being simple enough and humble enough to see that all our everyday acts of living (on condition that we do them inside the limits imposed by the precept “do good, never harm anyone!) are reason enough to make us feel proud of ourselves on a regular basis.
The simple fact that we carry on, doing this and that to keep a living, helping a little here and there, assisting with a good thought, a pat on someone’s back or just handing a tissue to someone who’s crying, all these are just as good reasons to make us always feel proud: everyday!
Glad it spoke to you. My book is nearing completion however is not a memoir but a self-help educational book. Sometimes it is helpful to get started by writing in 15 minute sessions and putting them together. They add up quickly. This is how I go going.
It looks like a good idea: a string of pearls of wisdom and experience. And cutting the sessions short is another good incentive – my hardest thing is to get myself going; and when I go, I find it hard to stop: a whole lot of inertia, I know, and not serving me that well. Good luck then!
Love your response to Inspiring Max – the unsung hero moments happen daily, but without recognition, and perhaps that’s a good thing most of the time. Every day someone benefits from a simple smile, a wave, a shoulder, whatever is needed and our souls are soothed. We benefit just as much as the recipient. I second Inspiring Max with your writing – even five minutes can inspire the next five and before long you’re lying awake at night framing that next sentence, crafting a new chapter; it all adds up.
In my answer to Max, I wanted to underline how important is to take care of ourselves first – like with the passenger instructions on the plane, when they tell you to fix the oxygen mask for yourself first and only then to fix it for the child or for others: if you are functioning well, then you can help and assist others. That is why I consider that our foremost duty is to love and respect ourselves in first place – give ourselves recognition, give ourselves that wink, or treat, for appreciation. In fact, we should love and respect ourselves so much, that there would be no place for being, acting and doing less than our best, making our best efforts. But I also appreciate a positive exchange of energy with the rest – we have all an unconfessed , but basic need to be valued by others – our world can only exist in interaction. That is why words of encouragement and appreciation, support, even friendly criticism, are like a breath of fresh air to whoever receives (and to those who impart them like you say). I felt the same when you did it for me: I enjoyed your attention and the advise to keep a steadier pace, I perfectly know you are right.
Thanks for your response – I agree encouragement is a breath of fresh air. I’m going to practice a random act of kindness every day – smiling at a stranger (considered a good thing in Australia), letting someone in when in heavy traffic (and not caring if they don’t give a thank you wave), making cups of tea instead of assuming my husband will always do that.