Face the world with confidence

Woman with a medal

Between my children’s father and me, I must be the disciplinarian.

Their father is seen as the guru who says one or two lines and his word is taken as the final truth.

I am the one who choruses what I want done; and three quarters of the time my word goes, but a quarter of it is subject to debate by the boys.

I consider my older son as that breed of people who always have their way — not because they bully but because they are somewhat lucky.

I can see his brother closely taking after him, and that is why last Monday we held a ‘birthday’ party for him.

His birthday actually falls on January 13, but the young man has for the second time now, woken up and convinced everyone that it is his birthday

“Mum today it will be my birthday”, he started singing days back. When I said ‘no’ he called his father in the office and said the same thing.

His rather surprised father said he had to consult with the doctor and when the boy saw that his wishes were not going to be met, he sulked.

Eventually, his father did not want to disappoint him and so he acceded to his demands.

On second thoughts, we decided that the cake would read “Well Done” (we want the boy to understand his birthday is yet to come) but we were still ‘forced’ to sing happy birthday.

As much as it was not easy to prepare his friends and cousins for the little gathering, I found it rather comical that my almost six-year-old would not allow ‘simple’ obstacles to stand in his way.

And yet many of us, all adults, give up in the pursuit of our aspirations the moment we encounter a hurdle.

We lack the young lad’s single-minded and dodged focus. That is why our dreams end up in the smoke of “what could have been...”

One should imitate confidence so that as the confidence produces success, a new sense of buoyancy ensues and catapults you through even tougher situations in life.

This phrase can be used as a therapeutic technique for combating depression, and many other negative situations in life.

No matter how blue you feel, you could wake up and show up for that party or interview; go to work and make that meal and eat it even if that is the last thing you want to do.

The idea is to go through the routines of life as if you are enjoying them, despite the fact that you may be forcing yourself to do so.

Mental health experts say that if you continue to do this, that happiness could become real — a perfect example of a positive feedback loop.

If you must fake it, do it! And this is how.

Happiness: Wake up, and declare how you are and you will feel the bliss.

Success: Wake up and count your blessings one by one.

You will realise how successful you indeed are.

Confidence: That anxiety you are feeling...you will be surprised to know that others around you are feeling it much more.

Walk with confidence as you face the world.