Diamonds, Pearls & Stones Jewels of Wisdom for Young Women from Extraordinary Women of the World

from Chapter 1: Accepting Yourself Creating Your Own Reality Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you deal with it is what makes the difference. Virginia Satir, family therapy pioneer Comparing Yourself to Others What makes us different from one another is so much less important than what makes us alike. Oprah Winfrey, television talk show host Dealing with Inadequacy I didn't belong as a kid, and that always bothered me. If only I'd known that one day my differentness would be an asset, then my early life would have been much easier. Bette Midler, actress Living from the Inside Out From the time we are very young, we are taught to look outside ourselves for things to base our self-esteem on: relationships, possessions, jobs, titles, others' opinions, our bodies, etc. But all these things are external and constantly changing so how can they be the basis for anything? True self-acceptance means finding the part of you that does not change the part that is deeper than your body, deeper than your mind, deeper than your emotions. Then you can't be touched by circumstances. JRH from Chapter 2: Living in Your Body Listening to Your Body Your body speaks in plain language: I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I'm tired, I'm stressed Listening to it means hearing what it has to say, then treating it like your dearest friend. JB Advertising the Media Keep the media out of your world as much as possible. It tries to shape your self-identity. People are earning millions making you think you're not good enough, smart enough, sexy enough, small enough. Young people are their bait. Stacey Hurlin, artist community leader True Beauty For most people, the body is the major 'who we are.' For most women, who we are is how big our breasts or hips are. But of course, our true beauty is the unseen body. It's the softness, the kindness, the gentleness, the femininity, the grace, the charm. You take the most beautiful actress or woman, and who is it that people really love? The one with the biggest heart. Wanda Roth, fashion jewelry consultant Sexuality Sensuality Whatever you do, if you're feeling unloved or not getting enough attention, don't look to sex to take care of your frustration. Sex is very powerful, but it's not substitute for the open expression of your needs and concerns. The New Intimacy, Judith Sherven, Ph.D. and James Sniechowski, Ph.D from Chapter 5: Making Choices Making the Right Choice When considering choices in your life, the 'most alive choice' feels like a bit of a risk, makes you giggle, or makes the hairs at the back of your neck stand up. SARK, The Bodacious Book of Succulence Peer Pressure Sometimes the best choice is the one that doesn't fit into what our peers or our culture think. I think you have to listen to the inner voice. It will always tell you what to do and where to go, but you have to learn to trust it. That's touch because we live in aHawthorne, Jennifer R. is the author of 'Diamonds, Pearls & Stones Jewels of Wisdom for Young Women from Extraordinary Women of the World', published 2004 under ISBN 9780757301551 and ISBN 075730155X.