you did that.

it’s not called mama-esteem, them-esteem, us-esteem - it’s called SELF-ESTEEM - cause nobody has to believe it, but you.

-Niecy Nash-Betts

I’m calling it. It’s time for us to take a timeout. If you’ve heard Niecy Nash’s acceptance speech at the last Emmy’s, you know what I’m talking about. If not, I got you.

Ms. Nash, won for her role as Glenda Cleveland, the ignored/suspicious neighbor in “Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story”. However, this award came after many prior lost nominations in her career.

When she took the stage for her speech - she took a timeout and thanked HERSELF. Not only that but when she was asked backstage why it was important for her to take that moment, the following words made me stop and say to myself, YES!

She responded

because I’m the only one who knows what it cost me. I’m the only one who knew what it was like FOR ME to … and so I’m proud of myself.

watch speech - it’s around the 1:45 seconds mark.

This right here is someone leading by example of what it’s like to have self-esteem. To lift yourself up. I certainly know there have been many moments in my life where I found myself looking around waiting for a pat on the back, or a “Wow, you did that.” But honestly, we can’t blame those around us for not always giving us the credit we believe we deserve.

Why? Because YOU are the only one who knows what that daily path costs you. The sacrifice, the exhaustion, the failure, the self-doubt and worry. Oh, the worry! It’s up to you to appreciate you.

Mel Robbins speaks on this same speech as well on her podcast about believing in yourself. She especially loves the part where Ms. Nash says how her job is to speak truth to power. How speaking your truth is how you unlock your power.

Isn’t thanking ourselves for everything we do an example of unlocking our power? To acknowledge ALL of you?

So again, I’m calling it. TIME OUT! I want you to zoom out for a moment.

Take a moment to sit back and remember the greater picture of how far you’ve come in life. Today did not get here by accident.

You did that.

You made those sacrifices. You got out of bed and did it again. You stepped up or maybe even walked away. You did what you needed to do for something you prayed to God would be for the right reasons. You had faith.

You had the self-esteem to be you, even on the days you weren’t sure about it.

Could you be where you are today ONLY because of you? Certainly not. But YOU chose those people around you who support you. You did that. You were humble enough to take the help when/where you needed it. To lean on your surroundings when you need to catch your breath.

When I say zoom out. I’m not only talking about the “resume moments”.

I’m talking about ALL OF IT. So I’ll say it again, and leave you with this…

For those days you just didn’t want to. For the days you didn’t like yourself. For days you wondered if this would pay off at all.

In the end, you believed in your choices. So as far as I can see, you deserve to stop and acknowledge all of it. I know I’m proud of you. Look how far you’ve come!! And it’s not over yet baby!

Off the Mat pose of the day: Mountain Pose.

Stand tall. Head high, shoulders back, feet grounded. Pause. Breathe. Now let’s keep going.

xo - alysia