Words Have Power by Dominique Fields (classic books for 11 year olds txt) 📕

If I fail, I will fail forward. 

Success comes from failure. Failure is imperfection. Imperfection is a success. You cannot make it  to the good without going through the bad. Otherwise, how would you acknowledge and  appreciate the good? I used to be terrified of failure. I thought it was embarrassing and  discouraging. How do people stay motivated to keep going? Failing, failing, and failing again is  humbling. Failing publicly is courageous. Failing continuously are lessons learned. So, fail. Fail  harder and harder each time. Fail until you get it. Fail until you’re successful. No one said failure  was pretty. So, when I fail, I fail forward.

I am a diamond. Tough times only make me stronger. It is time for me to shine. 

Sometimes, we hold ourselves back. We don’t believe in ourselves enough. The fear of failure keeps us from trying. Just know that when it’s your time, it’s your time. No one can stop you from shining. I love the idea of a diamond because diamonds are made in the rough and come out gleaming. Do not let your circumstances keep you from reaching your full potential. You are a diamond. It is your time to shine.

I am grateful for the things I have. No matter how little it may seem, how old it may be, or how unappreciated by others. 

I know when my anxiety starts driving me crazy; it’s usually because I am focusing on the negatives in my life. It doesn’t even have to be a current issue. I can stress over things that will not happen for at least a year in the future. One way I have learned to deal with my anxiety is by taking the time to speak aloud or just think about all the good in my life. I have plenty. When I  get overwhelmed with life, I like to remind myself that what I am worried about is probably not even that big of a deal. Trust me; harp over every little thing. There are people out there who would pray to have my situation over theirs, so I always like to remind myself of the blessings that far outweigh my obstacles. 

My mind is like water. I will change and adjust as needed. 

I remember the big turning point in my anxiety was at a time that I was not able to find any joy in my life. I remember breaking down at work randomly one day feeling miserable about my situation. I remember being tired of being tired. I decided right then and there that I could only focus on my downs at the moment, or I can accept that everyone goes through losses before they start winning. No matter if they’re on top currently, at one point they were at the bottom. They persevered through that time, never letting themselves give up. I decided at that moment to embrace every bit of my struggle and use it to serve as a reminder of what I aim for in life and to never give up working toward my goals. I decided that I would adjust as needed.

Success is my future. I see it. I speak it. I believe it. 

Success means something different to everyone. To me, it means ultimate satisfaction. Have you ever heard anyone say that they don’t have a plan B? That they never planned on giving up on plan A? I remember that quote changing my life when I first heard it. Success is my plan A. I also have a plan B, C, D, E....you get my point. Plan B does not always have to mean you are giving up on your dream but that you found a new way to make your plan A come true. So, I say make a plan A and use the rest of the alphabet to help spell out your plan to achieve plan A. Success is my future. There is no other option. 

I can go with the flow. I shall go where life takes me.

“Choose your battles wisely.” This right here is my whole life struggle in one sentence. I am a control freak in every way, and I like to think that plays a major part in my anxiety. You cannot control life and that was my Achilles heel. I wanted to be on top of everything and have a plan to stick to in every aspect of my life. I like structure. Life just laughed in my face. Have you ever heard the saying “want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans.” I felt that. I used to get upset every time something didn’t go my way. I still do sometimes. Life is hard enough without trying to control everything and failing. I really don’t need any more battles than I already have to go through. So, I choose my battles wisely now. Sometimes we have to just take the L. 

My strength is stronger than my anxiety. 

I am strong. At least, mentally I am. I think it’s a broad misconception that anyone struggling with mental health is weak. That is absolutely wrong. I am strong enough to not let my anxiety get to me. I am strong enough to not let it affect my life, my sleep, nor my mood. I am strong enough to not let anxiety trigger my depression. I am strong enough to deal with my depression head-on when anxiety does get its way. I am strong enough to accept all parts of me─ anxiety and depression included. My strength is stronger than my anxiety. 

Feelings are not facts. 

Your feelings are not facts. That does not invalidate them. Sometimes I can convince myself that the world is ending over every little thing. Like, I literally cannot go on and it’s all just dramatization. My anxiety does a great job of deceiving me with perception and reality. It is mainly where my insecurities stem from. So, remember your anxieties are not your truths and there’s no need to let them become your truths. Your feelings are not facts.