At this moment in time, please remind yourself of your strength and positive qualities. A very simple yet fun way of doing this is to create an acronym with the letters of your first, middle, and/or last name. Done in numerous health education courses over the years, this activity allows us to pause and reflect upon who we are or choose to be.
Some “rules” to follow:
– The letters in your name can be used to begin or end a word or phrase, or be within a word or phrase;
– If you get stuck not knowing what words or phrases to use, simply pause, take a breath, and consider the phrases that come to mind when you think of who you are. Write those phrases down after pausing and then fit them into your acronym.
– Note who you truly believe you are. When I was younger I felt as if I didn’t have the right to use the word intelligent or brilliant in my acronym – I thought other people would say I wasn’t as smart as others because I wasn’t getting straight A’s. It took some time to recognize and embrace how intelligent I am in which I am truly thankful for this trait.
– Feel free to be artistic within your final product- add photos, diagrams, colors, etc.
To help you, here is my current acrostic for Lori Ann Reichel:
Lovable
Optimistic
bRave
Intelligent
Adventurous
eNergetic
Naughty (sometimes… and in a good way)
bRave (I chose to put this word twice)
Excited about possibilities
brIlliant
Caring
Happy
creativE
siLly
For further inspiration, and to remind you of WHO YOU ARE, consider this quote from Marianne Williamson:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 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, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?
So, please… be who you are and love yourself! Be brave!
By Lori Ann Reichel, the PubertyProf
New York Health Education Professional of the Year (2011)
National Health Education Professional (SHAPE/AAHPERD, 2010)
New York Health Educator of the Year (2007)
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