Reading poetry to motivate yourself
Reading self-esteem poetry is a great way to motivate yourself or inspire yourself on a daily basis. Similar to affirmations, self-esteem poetry can be repeated to yourself over and over in an effort to change any negative attitudes you may be harboring. Passages that are particularly meaningful to you can be memorized and drawn on if you are feeling negative for any reason.
Few examples of poetry written with a strong message of self-esteem
Here is an excerpt from “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman:
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
In his classic “Leaves of Grass” Walt Whitman wrote the following:
“Go, dear friend! If need be, give up all else, and commence to-day to inure yourself to pluck, reality, self-esteem, definiteness, elevatedness;
Rest not, till you rivet and publish yourself of your own personality.”
Virginia Satir wrote a poem called “My Declaration of Self-Esteem”. This poem begins with the statement “I AM ME” and continues with the following;
“In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me
Everything that comes out of me is authentically me
Because I alone chose it – I own everything about me
My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,
Whether they be to others or to myself – I own my fantasies,
My dreams, my hopes, my fears – I own all my triumphs and
Successes, all my failures and mistakes.”
It concludes with the statement, “I own me, and therefore I can engineer me – I am me and I AM OKAY.”
Marianne Williamson in her book A Return to Love wrote:
“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Power of Self-Esteem
In the mirror of the soul, where shadows often dance,
Lies a light, softly glowing, given just a chance.
Not in grandeur or in glory does true worthiness reside,
But in silent stories whispered, from the heart inside.
For every soul has music, a unique and special tune,
A melody of self-worth, under the sun and moon.
It’s not in perfection found, but in accepting flaws,
In embracing every scar, and loving without pause.
Self-esteem, a garden where confidence can bloom,
Needs nurturing and patience, not gloom.
Water it with kindness, let self-love take the lead,
Plant seeds of positivity, and pluck out every weed.
So sing the song within you, boldly, with all might,
Let it soar and echo, in the darkest night.
For self-esteem is not just feeling good about your stride,
It’s knowing deep within, your true value resides.
In every stumble, every fall, see not just the pain,
But the strength and grace in rising, to dance in the rain.
For self-esteem, like rivers, through landscapes it weaves,
A journey not of distance, but in what one believes.
So here’s to the journey, inwards, where true beauty is found,
Where self-esteem and worth, in abundance, abound.
Let this poetry be a mirror, reflecting the light in you,
A reminder of your value, in everything you do.
These quotes are the very essence of self-esteem poetry and the power and strength you can attain by studying it. There are many more examples of poetry focused on self-esteem, self-confidence and self-improvement. Poetry written with a positive, inspirational message can be very healing on your journey to stronger self-esteem.