To read this article with pictures and links included, visit my blog: www.allynevans.blogspot.com.

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Well - known author and speaker Caroline Myss doesn't know she's my teacher. I take that back. Maybe she does. Maybe she saw the roster with my name and the names of 249 other students on it a few weeks ago. Never mind that I never made it to the class in the first place.

Yes, I was scheduled, but weather messed up my travel plans. My sister, traveling from New York City, made it. I did not.

Back to Caroline Myss. But surely she knows she's my teacher. Doesn't this world evolve around me? Not.

Of course she doesn't know. And the truth is it really doesn't matter. Whether we ever exchange a word or not isn't important because I have learned so much simply by reading my teacher's words and listening to her lectures and radio show. What matters is what I have learned.

Today, while doing some mindless tasks I tuned in to Caroline Myss's most recent radio show archived on HayHouse Radio. During the show, she talked about self - esteem. This peaked my interest because I have been talking to GirlTech students recently about self - esteem.

She told us things I already know, but what I love about my teacher is that she articulates the ideas so beautifully. Makes me want to say: "Yeah, what she said."

Caroline explained to a caller, "Each person has to earn self - esteem." I agree. People don't arrive here fully loaded with or without the self - esteem gene. It's something that living your life helps you grow. Some of us have more challenges than others, sometimes this makes a person grow stronger and sometimes, it leaves one with stuff to overcome. No matter, it's the culmination of our experiences and how we deal with them that develop or destroy our concept of self.

Caroline said something else that interested me. She said, "The illusion is that you get self - esteem by pleasing others." When we think about this we know she's right. An important question to ask ourselves is are we still making desicions because of what the all important others might think? Caroline tells us it's as if we think all this people pleasing activity will eventually rid of us our need for approval. If you continue down this path, the opposite is the result. Our need for approval from others intensifies leaving us without confidence and lost. Before signing off today, Caroline gave us some tips about how to help ourselves and to build self - esteem.

So, I'm sharing a little Caroline Myss wisdom with you. To take steps toward a more powerful you:

1. Release the fear of humiliation.
2. Face your fears.
3. And keep promises you make to yourself.

Hmmmm. I think this is easier than it sounds. As always, though, I am up for trying. And you know what? I'll continue this discussion in a few days or so. We'll start with releasing the fear of humiliation first.

Think you'd like to read some of Caroline's books. I suggest starting with "Anatomy of the Spirit." If you have an illness or health issues, you might benefit from her earlier work, "Why People Don't Heal."

Reign on,
Allyn Evans

P.S. To read this article with pictures and links to Caroline's work and the radio show, visit my blog: www.allynevans.blogspot.com

http://www.allynevans.com/
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Allyn Evans, Professional Speaker and Writer Toastmaster, CTM (www.allynevans.com)
Authored "Grab the Queen Power: Live Your Best Life!"