There is a lot of power in what we say about ourselves. "I Am" and "I Am Not" statements really describe what we really think about ourselves. We may sometimes just casually say "I am..." without even really thinking about what we are saying. When we say things like "I am fat" or "I am ugly," this gives off the vibe that we really want to be degrading about the way we look or how we really are. However, when we say "I am amazing" or "I am bold", we cause people to think that we believe the best about ourselves. The more positive "I Am" statements we say, the higher our self esteem will go. So, believe the power in the statements you make about yourself. Use those statements to build yourself up!! This is who I am.

I am not.

I am not my body type.

I am not my job and I am not my paycheck.

I am not the clothes in my closet or the shoes on my feet

I am not titled by a "religion." I love Jesus and others (James 1:27).

I am not my church building.

I am not my grades.

I am not my low performances or mountaintop experiences.

I am not enslaved in school (school is a wonderful privilege).

I am not my skin color.

I am not the color of my eyes or the curls of my hair.

I am not the shampoo or conditioner I use for my hair or the way I style my hair.

I am not my tattoos or my gauges.

I am not a "slut" when I wear clothes that might make some judge me.

I am not the food I eat.

My name is not "Christian's sister" or "Bernard and Chris's daughter."

I am not a "typical white girl" when I drink Starbucks or wear yoga pants.

I am not my past mistakes or future failures.

I am.

I am a chosen, honored, and cherished child of God.

I am a daughter of two wonderful parents and a sister to a wonderful brother and dog.

I am someone who is blessed with a job that helps meet my needs, even if sometimes it's just barely enough.

I am adventurous, bold, creative, and loving.

I am a survivor of the horror that is mental, emotional and verbal abuse, and self mutilation and suicide attempts.

I am broken from the bondage of drug addiction.

I am freed from the feeling that I am "not good enough."

I am excited for my future and thankful for my past, even the messy and hard parts.

I am thankful for the clothes and shoes and food I do have and my shower and heat in my apartment.

I am a student who is in love with her major, despite others telling her "You're going to hate it."

I am a difference maker.

I am in love with Jesus and not ashamed to be called His.

I am needed, wanted and loved.