We are taught what is considered "normal." Whether we believe it or not this concept of what is "normal" influences us. It may persuade us to chase after this " normal" or pursue the concept of what people consider "weird." The media does have an influence on us to some extent.
This effect may be good or bad. One person may take it as a challenge to become physically fit and gain a better hold onto nutritionally rich foods. Someone else may take it badly and obsess over looks by buying into all the new trends in makeup, hair, clothes, plastic surgery and other areas. I believe media and society has an impact on our self-esteem. I also believe that we all at some time in the past, future or present obsess over some aspect of what we call imperfection.
Self-esteem is all up to us. We can have a high or low or moderate self-esteem. It just depends on how much we value our state of self-esteem and if we are willing to work consistently, hard on improving it. Many of us accept our culture's idea of beauty. Even though many of us have diverse opinions of what is beautiful to us.
So why do we have such low self-esteem, if we all have different theories on what is beauty? We are constantly are being slowly brainwashed into thinking we all have to be the perfect ideal. Men believe they have to have six packs and be tall, while women feel they have to be pretty, and stick-thin or have a curvy hourglass body. If we started welcoming and encouraging diversity then I believe we would see a major improvement of self-esteem and a fall in dangerous personal activities and habits.
What should we do? I say we should contact media complaining and demanding that they show a variety of body-types, faces, nationalities, skin tones, instead of limiting it and showing preferences for a certain type of "beauty." If we want to see change we have to take action. I would also say contact local communities to aware them of what they can do to help. Start a support group. There are numerous other actions we can take to change the outcomes gradually.
"Acceptance instead of critique." Let us start voicing out loud others' strengths and focus on those. Often people zero in on their faults or other people's faults. People need to realize their worth. So why not help them? Why not birth a new habit?
I watched an awesome short movie called, " The butterfly effect." It was amazing. It showed how one man overcame some pretty serious defect general beliefs. It showed how he struggled to secure a positive image of himself after years of being told he was excessively flawed. I was inspired at how he learned to change his thoughts on the world and himself that were so ingrained into him.
In 1992 AMERICAN GIRL published the first issue of their magazine. One purpose of the magazine was to reassure girls of self-esteem. The books are written by a variety of authors, telling tales of girls from contrasting backgrounds and eras. I grew up on these books. My older sister did also. I like the books and have always wanted to get a few of the dolls they make and they have impacted my life. I believe their idea of increasing girls' self -esteem is an honorable goal.
I cannot imagine some people's struggle to gain a positive view of themselves. I also cannot understand how some people conquer tremendously difficult battles of personal life. I can appluad their successes and their tries. I can also help these people in some form whether I do this by comforting, listening, encouraging or by something else.
I hope to gain comprehension of a diversity of issues and how I can assist theses issiues and people effected by them. I want to help people in achieving their goals. I could do this by donating to charities or volunteering. I wonder how else I can aid these people? I want an immense impact on others' lives; not a small dent.
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