from sneakers & jeans

INTRODUCTION

Did you know that the introduction of a book is used to set the tone of the book? It’s sort of a way for the writer (me) to tell the reader (you) the book’s purpose (goal). When I began writing from sneakers & jeans...the purpose was very clear. To give teen girls...JUST LIKE YOU...the tools and information that’s helped me become happy, healthy, independent, and strong.

I’m writing this book to tell you that everyone has amazing, great, good, OK, not so good, pretty bad, and very sad things happen. But having a solid sense of who you are, and loving yourself despite your faults and failures, will give you the strength to move forward when the not so good, the pretty bad and the very sad things happen. Throughout my entire life, there have been people (more than I can count, with some family included) who thought I was...AND STILL AM...weird and awkward. And you know what, THAT’S OK. That’s OK, because I’m SPLENDID. And splendid people are innovators; while ordinary people are followers. I believe in being true to who I am. And for me, that means doing what feels natural; standing on the side of what is right; and treating others the way I want to be treated. I don’t think I have ever made a decision, of any kind, because it was "popular" or "hot." I KNOW ME. I AM HAPPY WITH ME. And I DON’T COMPROMISE MY CHARACTER FOR ANY REASON or ANYONE.

I am fortunate to have a mother that worked very hard to teach me the importance of being a woman amongst women. Which for me is: A woman who can think for herself. A woman who can learn from her mistakes. A woman who can believe in herself, when no one else does. A woman who is strong in spirit, when her body is weak. A woman who knows, that where you are today, doesn’t mean that’s where you’ll be tomorrow.

My hope is that from sneakers & jeans...will give you what you need to become a woman amongst women. So to start you off in the right direction, I offer to you this very powerful quote:

"Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny." —Unknown

SELF-WORTH

Self-worth is seeing yourself as having value. Self-esteem is how you are feeling about yourself. Before self-esteem comes self-worth. If you don’t see yourself as valuable, you will never feel great about who you are.

Your self-worth affects every aspect of your life. It determines whether you will lead or follow. Whether you have sex before you want or wait until it’s your time...Whether you will be content and happy with four excellent friends or "fake" happy with forty. And whether you will be the girl with the guy who treats you better than the lyrics of a great love song or the girl with the guy who calls you a b**ch and hits you.

I have been depressed, and it made me forget that I was worthy of everything God had placed on this earth for me. I almost killed myself, but I cried out for God to help me, because I knew that His presence was always there. It was painful. And I hurt. But growth in life comes from pushing through and learning after times of pain and hurt. So don’t give up; don’t give in. Just grit your teeth, hold on and know that you are worthy of life and God’s love.

Avoiding fragile Self-worth

Don’t try to be like someone else. Trying to be someone you’re not can lead to a lack of self-worth and confidence. Understand that we are all unique in our own ways and we cannot be someone else. It is all right to strive to be better, but don’t criticize yourself for not being as successful or as popular as someone else...