In life, there is often discontentment. To improve the situation, some people chastise others while some people choose to praise others. There is a huge difference between the two approaches. To understand this, we can do a simple exercise. I will like you to look at the following questions and statements and note how you feel after reading them:

• Why are you so inefficient?
• How can you be so forgetful?
• Don’t you know what productivity is?
• You should have known better.
• I can do better than what you have accomplished.

Do you feel good after reading them? I am sure that you do not. However, I believe that you have often come across many individuals who use them. There are many reasons for doing so. Some of them do this to acquire a sense of superiority over others, some do this to feel better about themselves and others are just plain skeptical and cynical.  It is important that we do not allow the abovementioned statements to affect our self-esteem or self-worth. 

So, how do we do this? We encourage ourselves with positive statements as follows:

• I am unique and have a combination of strengths and abilities that are valuable.

• I am learning new things everyday.
• Life is a joy and I am enjoying every moment of it.
• There are many individuals who are supportive of me.
• I choose to be happy.

By doing so, we will actually live life with zest and confidence over time.

But this is not all. It is important to set goals in life and work towards it as well.  Nevertheless, self-encouragement usually precedes one’s success and achievements in life. Therefore, do not feel discouraged in life. Keep the smile on your face as I believe that every cloud has a silver lining.

Live life with passion, love and gratitude and life will treat you right.