I don't know about you but I get a kick out of the selfie filters offered on the App called Snap Chat.  If you want a good laugh take a selfie and then use one of the many Snap Chat filters on the picture you took of yourself.  They have filters that can make you look like everything from a bunny rabbit, to making your eyes & tongue pop out.  They even have "voice changer" filters that can make your voice sound super deep or super high pitched.  Try it with your friends or kids.  You will find yourself laughing until your body hurts.  I must warn you upfront it can be addictive because it's so fun & funny!  

We can laugh at these contorted, inaccurate filters on Apps like Snap Chat because we know they are not true reflections of who we really are.  However, many people without even realizing it live every day with an inaccurate or distorted picture of themselves.

In other words, on the outside, they have placed a filter over how they really feel about themselves on the inside.  The most important factor in determining whether or not someone is happy is the outlook they choose for themselves.  Everyone to a certain degree feels insecure about their abilities or appearance.  Some of those insecurities can be a result of past hurts or failures. 

Either way, the picture we have of ourselves can impact every area of our lives.  I love the quote taken from The Talmud "We do not see things as they are.  We see them as we are."  If we don't have a true and accurate image of who we really are it can keep us from reaching our true potential and rob us from living our lives with real joy, purpose and fulfillment. 

I want to encourage you to stop and rethink you!  Who are you really?  How do you really see yourself?  It's time to remove the filter and let the real you be free to be "you."  

ReThink You... As Valuable. 

Imagine if I gave you a new, crisp $100 dollar bill.  Would you want it?  Suppose I crumpled it up so it didn't look as nice as it was when it came from the mint.  Would you still want it?  Sure you would!  What if I took it outside and threw it on the ground and stomped on it so it got stained and dirty to the point it was almost unrecognizable.  Would you still want it?  Of course!  Why?  Because it's still a $100 bill.  Life has a way of causing us to feel crumpled, stained and stomped upon.  Just as the $100 dollar bill retains its value, you never lose your value.  Your value has been established by the Creator of the universe and no one can take that away from you.  

ReThink You... As Acceptable.  

There is a myth about acceptance and it's this: if I can get everyone to think I'm "perfect" they will accept me. Why is acceptance so important to us?  Because the number one pain or hurt we encounter in life is rejection.  Therefore, we put on those "filters" and do everything we can to avoid being rejected.  Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission."  Make a commitment to yourself to not give permission to anyone to make you feel inferior.  Life is too short to spend it trying to please & impress everyone.   

ReThink You... As Capable.  

Psychologists tell us that a child needs two things to develop a healthy, strong self-image: love and a sense of being capable.  It's no different for adults.  We all have a built-in GPS (Gifts, Passions & Strengths).  When you discover how to use your inner GPS, your life will take on a whole new purpose and meaning that will allow you to live with renewed confidence.  Let me encourage you to wake up every day and make a declaration over yourself that you are valuable, acceptable & capable. 

Why?  Because you are!