Boost another woman?s self-esteem

Hey, did you know it?s Beautiful Women Month? Who knew? They have a month for everything now, but they may be on to something here.

All women are beautiful! Having said that, we must all realize we live in a society obsessed with outer beauty, one that promotes being thin and looking glamorous.

Could that be one of the reasons our little girls and teenagers alike are suffering from eating disorders? A recent study showed that more than 3 million teenagers suffer from some type of eating disorder.

All women need to be able to distinguish between inner and outer beauty and to be able to decide what is best for them. If we take the media?s opinion of beauty, it might just sway our ideas. One can?t watch a television program or look at a magazine without realizing that everybody is not a size 2 and is wrinkle free.

What can we do to help strengthen our girls to give them emotional toughness, self protection and boost self esteem?

First of all, they need to be healthy and take care of their bodies. Nutrition and physical activities, such as sports and exercise, plays a positive role in promoting body health rather than body image. We can?t let the images we see in magazines and on televisions rule the way we feel about ourselves. There are three billion women who do not look like supermodels!

To help build self esteem, parents need to spend lots of time with their children, especially in activities they enjoy. Allow your child to make her own decisions, so she can learn responsibility and can earn your trust. Praise your children and give them positive attention. Avoid criticizing and don?t always rescue your child from frustrating experiences. Let them attempt to solve the problem themselves.

Girl?s self esteem seems to drop as she becomes an adolescent. Keep this in mind as you make sure she understands the changes her body and mind are experiencing. Always be available to her for communication and also to be a sounding board.

Audrey Hepburn, who is one of the great natural beauties of our time, was asked for some of her beauty tips. She replied by writing this poem that was read at her funeral.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed,

and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.