I'm so great and smaaaaaart!

The other day, as Franki was using the outdoor furniture as a climbing gym, she sang, “I’m so greaaaat, and smaaaaart….and modest”!  This of course made Jack and I laugh out loud at her song.  What a cute thing to hear her say.  It made me wonder though…when does that…saying about yourself that you’re great and smart…when does that become inappropriate?  When does it become not so cute?   At some point, we begin to compare ourselves to others and if they say they’re great and smart, often we judge them for saying it and we judge ourselves, wondering if we’re chopped liver or something.  How can it be “wrong” in any way to think that you’re great and smart and beautiful and handsome and perfect in every way possible?  How can that ever be inappropriate?  Often, we come to believe about ourselves that we’re not so great and we’re not so smart and when we hear someone say that how great they are, and really mean it, we feel inferior or jealous and say they’re conceited or something like that.  We’ve been told by our parents, teachers, and society in general that it’s not ok to say you’re really good at something or to compliment yourself because it’s seen as “bragging” and other people may be offended; it’s not “what you do”, and people may even not like you because of it.   But what if you could really love yourself and know you’re goodness and know that you’re great in every way that you are, without needing to compare to another…knowing that everyone is great and smart and unique and that someone else saying that is not a threat to you in any way, nor is it ever inappropriate?  In fact, that’s how Source, or God, or whatever you want to call it sees you.  We’re all born with unique desires, unique ways of interpreting our life experiences and we all contribute to the bigger picture.  I want Franki to know she’s great and smart (which she clearly does ;)) and as a mother, I do want her to be liked, but never to the exclusion of how she feels about herself.  I want her to like herself first, and if she expresses how great and smart she is, I want her to know that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or feels about her and the more she knows her greatness, the more she’ll be surrounded with those who know it as well.  There’s no need to control other people, and there’s no need to adjust who you are for the sake of others…love yourself for your greatness for you are perfect and unique and so worthy just as you are…… Thank you, Franki, for constantly reflecting that back to me.