I subscribe to a wonderful blog called Beyond Blue written by Therese Borchard. Therese’s story of her battle with depression, The Statue That Restored My Faith, appeared in Guideposts magazine last year and is currently on our site.
Therese writes a daily blog where I often find wonderful tidbits of inspiration and personal growth tips and advice there.
This past Wednesday Therese linked to a video describing Personal Shields. A personal shield is a very simple, graphic illustration of four areas of self-knowledge: what you do well, what you like to do, what makes you happy and what makes you feel safe. The idea is to enhance self-esteem by acknowledging a strength (what you do well) and identify things you like to do and things that makes you happy and safe. By knowing what you like and what makes you happy and safe, you can do more of those things and thereby re-energize yourself. Lord knows in these stressful economic times, with our grueling work schedules and family responsibilities, it’s easy to flirt with burn-out. The personal shield is both a reminder of how you can tap a well-spring of creativity and energy as well as a protection against negative self-esteem and exhaustion.
The personal shield can also act as a guide to help you learn about yourself and help you set different goals in your life. Plus, it’s such a simple exercise that you can do with your kids!
