CHAPTER 1

Who Am I?

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I am content

In a society that glorifies `more, faster, better', finding things that you are content with can seem difficult.You might be happy with the latest technology you've purchased until you find a new item that doesmore, goes faster or looks better.

Wanting more, faster and better is a symptom of being caught up in a materialistic culture. It can leaveyou feeling unfulfilled and exhausted from trying to reach a bar that is always being moved out of reach.

The way to break out of this cycle is to look for things that you are content with. You might becontent with your level of education, one or more of your relationships, or something as simple asreading a book or listening to music.

Quick Tip: What does the word `content' mean to you? For the purpose of this exercise, Iencourage you to view contentment as something you're satisfied, comfortable and happy withtoday. You may work toward something different in the future, but just for today, it's goodenough.

Take a look at the different areas of your life. Are you content in your job, your home, your hobbies?How about your relationships? Not just a romantic relationship with a significant other, but with yourfamily, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. Is there a place where you like to go that you feel peaceful andcontent? What activities do you like to participate in that you are content with?

Exercise

On the opposite page, make a list of everything you are content with in your life. Write down anythingthat you deem `good enough' just as it is. This is a brain-storming session to start thinking about beingcontent.

Mindful Living Worksheet

The first item on your Mindful Living Worksheet is "I am content with ...". Fill in this blank withsomething from your day that you see no need to change or improve. Check this item off of yourworksheet each day that you find something you're content with—at least for today.

I am content with ...

My Relationships (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Personality Traits (compassionate, grounded, confident, loving): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Skills (fixing things, typing, leadership abilities, sales): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Physical Body (eyes, strong hands, hair, skin, smile): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Experiences (education/knowledge, travel): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Work (job, career, volunteering, source of income): ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Hobbies (cooking, scuba diving, singing, target shooting, kayaking, dancing):____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Environment (home, office, room): _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Material Possessions (clothes, car, tools, electronics): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am proud of myself

Self-esteem is influenced by two things: what you think about yourself and what you believe others thinkabout you. These two factors fluctuate so sometimes your self-esteem is based more on your own opinion,and other times it's based more on the opinion of others.

Both of these ingredients make up your self-esteem, but you only have control over one: what you thinkabout yourself.

So, what do you think about yourself? Do you like yourself? Do you think you're a good person?Do you think you're valuable? No matter how you answered these questions, there is an easy way toimprove your self-esteem— give yourself credit for positive accomplishments and attributes.

Quick Tip: There is a simple formula for feeling like a super-hero. First, be completely honest(discussed in more detail on page 36). Second, do things that you're proud of and give yourselfcredit for them every day. If you practice either of these, your confidence and self-esteem willimprove. If you focus on both of these every day, you will soar!

Exercise

On the next page, make a list of everything you are proud of. This can be anything in your entire lifethat you consider a success. Write down all of your accomplishments, both large and small. Do you makea mean lasagna? Did you graduate high school? Get a job or a promotion? Take care of your children,sibling, parent or other family member? Learn how to swim? Complete a training program? Reach apersonal goal? Give yourself credit for all of your successes!

Also, start paying attention to your self-talk. Really listen to the thoughts that run through your mindduring the day. If you catch your self-talk being negative or condescending, change what you are thinkingto your accomplishments. Choose one thing you're proud of and remember how wonderful it felt! Or, seehow many successes you can count in your mind. You can also read over the list you've made here in yourworkbook and look back at previous entries on your Mindful Living Worksheet of things you're proud of.

Mindful Living Worksheet

Complete this item on your Mindful Living Worksheet by writing something you're proud of thathappened today or that was relevant today.

I am proud of ...

(Relationships, Personality Traits, Skills, Physical Body, Experiences, Work, Hobbies, Environment, MaterialPossessions)

Accomplishment: I am proud of this because:

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