Day 1_Who's Talking

Take a minute and imagine you're walking into a room of 100 people. In this scenario, you're mixing with people you don't know anything about except that they all seem different from you.

As you play out the image, pause in the middle of the room. Look around.

How do you imagine these people really feel about themselves - not you - themselves?

Here's the secret that most of us keep hidden.

In that same room of 100 people, you can bet that at least 90 of them will be wondering if the other people will respect them or express any value for them at all. It doesn't matter how smart, successful or attractive they may appear. They're still thinking it.

Most of them, like most of us, are listening to messages that replay in their minds, telling them they're not good enough, smart enough, successful enough and on and on...

Did you realize this about people before now?

The problem is that sometimes we listen to other people's opinions or assume things about ourselves and others that aren't true.

We may even question our worth based on belittling messages that play over and over in our minds. That doesn't have to be the case.

The steps over the next 21 days are about reconnecting with that part of you that feels like you've been denied respect and a sense of value.

Are you ready to discover how to feel respected and how to show others the same level of respect that you want?

Let's start with those messages that replay in our minds as if they're on some kind of looping device. They're called our internal dialogue, and we all have an internal dialogue.

What are the messages telling you?

You may have said that some of those messages are critical and try to hold you down.

That's true for most of us. If this is true for you, too, then like the rest of us, you can develop the power to put a stop to negative thoughts, but first you have to learn how to value...you.

How much do you believe that you bring great value to the world simply for being the person you are...not what others think about you...not what you have... and not what you do?

Jump up to the video icon above and watch the clip from the movie, 'Mask.' It's based on a true story about Rocky Dennis, a young man who suffered from a disfiguring genetic disease called Lionitis.

Notice the person who shows unflinching respect for himself as you're watching the clip.

Tell us what you thought when you've finished.

Rocky refused to allow appearance to stop him from being happy. He decided early on that he would be who he was meant to be without regard for what others thought about him.

That's a critical piece.

Describe how you currently see yourself, naming the qualities you most admire about you. Descriptive words could include:

*strong
*compassionate
*considerate
*creative
*smart
*determined
*resilient
*funny

For example, you could say: "I'm a compassionate and strong person who's been through a lot, and I'm determined to achieve my dreams and help others reach theirs."

Let's stop here for today. That's a lot to take in.

You should know that to develop the power we mentioned in Step 5, you're going to have be as strategic, consistent and determined as those negative voices are. We've made it easy for you. Just do the steps every day.

Okay?

One thing to remember is that 'Respect' runs for 21 days without breaks for weekends or holidays. If you post to Publisher (us), check the message icon above for responses.

You can do these steps on your own.

However, if you'd like to interact with others you can relate to, then feel welcome to join a Next Step campfire in your area and/or the JP campsite that's made up of teens and young adults like you nationwide.

If interested, post your email address to us in the last open space on any page. Let us know what city you live in and if you want to be placed in the same group as someone you know. You'll receive an invite from navitent.com. Click on the link. You're in.

If you're reading this page from another site, then you'll have to sign in and create an account to be able to post comments and save your responses.

Still with us?

Before we begin, you need to make a commitment to yourself and to us.

All we ask is that you commit to show up each day, do your steps, and be honest with your answers. If you have to miss a day, just let us know beforehand.

Will you make the commitment?

If so, we'll see you tomorrow!