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I saw a special on television not too long ago where parents and children were placed in separate rooms and were asked a question. The children were asked to describe their parents and the parents were asked what they thought about themselves as Moms and Dads.

I was struck by the parents answers to the question. The vast majority of them said things like, "My kids will say I yell a lot", "I am a terrible cook" or "I am not able to do as much for my kids as I would like". They all looked at what the negatives were that they thought their children saw in them. In contrast, the kids answers were polar opposite to their parents; "My Mommy is beautiful", "She makes the best spaghetti" or  "I love it when my dad comes home from work and plays catch with me", When the parents saw the video of their kids answering the question, not surprisingly they were all in tears over their sweet responses when they realized that their children didn't see their faults; they only saw their attributes that made them happy.

This show got me to thinking; why are we so hard on ourselves to try and be perfect in a non-perfect world? I am certainly a victim of this. If you asked me to describe myself, I would instantly go to my physical flaws; my droopy eye, my pasty skin, my frizzy hair, my far-from-supermodel physique (far, as in...like...outerspace. See? I can't help myself). Why do we do that? I do have a sort of self-deprecating humor that makes people chuckle (which does makes me happy), but why couldn't I do some one-liners that doesn't taunt my physical features or puts myself down? I guess it's a way of self-loathing and self-loving at the same time. Instead of rattling off my physical features like some Mean Girls checklist, why can't I say anything positive about myself? If forced, I would probably answer with things like, "Some people say I am funny" or "I've been told I have a nice singing voice" or "It's been said I have a good eye for decorating", but why is it so hard to instead say, "I am funny as heck", "I can belt it like Beyonce" or "Joanna Gaines better watch her shiplap".

Much like those kids and parents in the television special, we never think that we are good enough. We see ourselves so differently than how the world sees us...isn't that sad? We need take a little bit of the love and praise that we lavish on other people and turn some of that greatness onto ourselves. Spread that love around like Oprah shares giveaways..."You get a compliment! YOU get a compliment...EVERYBODY GETS A COMPLIMENT!"

So, do me a favor. next time you want to put yourself down....don't. Turn it around and build yourself up because, just like L'Oreal, you, my dears are worth it.

Love you bunches,

Mama P