Confidence Versus Insecurity

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this trauma. During high school, if you remember, the "king pin" students grabbed all the sports trophies, Honor Society accolades and student government offices. The beautiful coeds dated the good-looking guys and the captain of the football team courted the prettiest girl on the cheerleading squad. Popular students walked with confidence, poise and buoyancy. Those students seemed to be born with self-assurance. Handsome guys drove the coolest cars. Pretty girls dressed in the latest styles. They comprised 20 percent of the student body.


The rest of us, 80 percent, attended class, studied hard and rarely gathered the nerve to ask a girl for a dance. Of course, girls never asked guys to a movie. At school dances, we feared for our lives because most of us couldn’t dance. "It's not all bad. Heightened self-consciousness, insecurity, apartness, an inability to join in, physical shame and self-loathing—they are not all bad.dol.gov Those devils have been my angels. In the end, most of us live average lives because of our inability to feel assurance and act confidently. We lack confidence to speak up when we see a "wrong" being committed. We fail to stand up when a bully takes advantage of another person. We shrink into the shadows during political controversy. A friend may take advantage of us, but we fail to stand our ground.


We fear stepping into the grand adventure of travel for fear of the unknown. Insecurity threatens anyone’s sense empowerment in social situations. I remember my fear of asking a girl to dance.wittichfuneralhome.com I stood like a wall flower until an outgoing girl named Joan stepped up to me, "You wanna’ dance? "Oh, maybe during the next slow dance," I said. "Forget that excuse," said Joan, pulling me toward the dance floor. From that point on, I learned to dance because dancing blazed deep into my soul. If not for Joan, I might still be standing along the wall drinking a soda pop. If you don’t meet a "Joan" who drags you out of your insecurity in life, how do you gain confidence in yourself and your ability to walk confidently in this world? • Walk tall, shoulders back and dress well.


People think of you first by how you look and second by how you speak. When you dress well and speak well, you gain confidence in yourself and from anyone you meet. • When you meet someone, give a firm handshake and look him or her in the eyes. • Imitate someone you admire in actions, dress and education. • Always render your speaking with positive energy, positive thoughts and positive responses. Avoid thinking negative thoughts or negative words. • When you see someone who dresses well or looks fit, make a positive comment on a woman’s beautiful dress or bracelet.


Compliment a guy on his wristwatch or his well-tailored suit. • Think big, dream bigger and take action toward your chosen destiny. Little people think small, dream smaller and stumble through life without a plan. You change that fate by your thoughts, words and deeds. It gets simpler with each success. • If you fall, fall forward. If you fail, learn from it, pick yourself up and try again. • For anything in life, whether it is a race, art show, relationship or dance contest; you must prepare by learning each day. You must train your mind and body with repetition. You must move into your passions with mind, body and spiritual energy. As you can see, you enjoy choices.


By incorporating the aforementioned techniques, you move through fear and insecurity into the brilliance of living a confident life. Watch out for a "Joan" pulling you onto the dance floor of life. She will be surprised and delighted that you lead her through a waltz, cha cha, salsa or swing. The same goes for you ladies when a man asks you for a dance. It’s the dance of life. Author's Bio: Frosty Wooldridge possesses a unique view of the world, cultures and families in that he has bicycled around the globe 100,000 miles, on six continents and nine times across the United States in the past 35 years. He has written hundreds of articles (regularly) for 17 national and two international magazines. He has had hundreds of guest editorials published in top national newspapers including the Denver Post, Albany Herald, Las Vegas Tribune and Daily Camera. He wrote a column, "CRYSTAL DESERT CONTINENT," for a major newspaper in Colorado while he lived in Antarctica. His books include, Handbook for Touring Bicyclists; Strike Three! Please Register or Login to post new comment.


Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri, U.S, 90 miles (145km) north of Kansas City. It comprises colleges of arts and sciences, education and human services, and business and professional studies. The campus design was inspired by the Forest Park. Northwest Missouri State University has always been a leader in utilizing technology to enhance the educational experience. In 1987, Northwest revealed its unique electronic campus program that was designed to accelerate student learning and enrich faculty teaching and research by placing a computer terminal in every residence hall room and faculty office. In 1997, the program was upgraded and all of the faculty members received powerful laptop computers, while network machines were implemented in each residence hall room. Recently, all students staying in the residence halls were given a laptop. Many locations on campus are now connected via WiFi. The program was the first of its kind on a public college or university campus.


The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi offers numerous benefits and resources to assist members throughout their academic and professional lives. 1 million each year, to exclusive discounts from more than 25 corporate partners, we provide a wide range of exclusive benefits and resources to our members. We invite you to make the most of your membership by taking advantage of all of the exclusive benefits and resources available to you. Member benefits are available to active members only. Renew your membership today to access our exclusive benefits and resources! Did you receive an invitation to join our Society? Join now and begin enjoying the benefits of Phi Kappa Phi membership!


This article shares a real life example of overcoming adversity. It will show how overcoming adversity has help shape a prominent leader. This article tells the background and story of one of the leader's success at overcoming adversity (in fact she faced the multiple adversities of racial, sex, and age discrimination) and then becoming a very successful leader. This article shares some of the groundbreaking Doctoral research results, as to how to overcome adversity and become a successful leader. The sixteen prominent successful leaders who overcame adversity that were interviewed included: Dr. Tony Bonanzino, Jack Canfield, William Draper III, Mark Victor Hansen, U.S.


Senator Orrin Hatch (R- UT), Monzer Hourani, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), J. Terrence Lanni, Dr. John Malone, Angelo Mozilo, Larry Pino, Dr. Nido Qubein, U.S. Army Major General Sid Shachnow (Ret.), Dr. John Sperling, Dr. Blenda Wilson, and Zig Ziglar. Dr. Wilson's journey is a story overcoming adversity, in fact multiple adversities, staying totally focused and driven to accomplish and realize her dreams. The Wilson family had unfortunately already experienced the painful sting of racial discrimination. Blenda's mother in spite of having a college degree from a normal school in the Deep South faced major discrimination in segregated ‘deep south’ during the Depression.


To add insult to injury the schools in the northern United States would not accept her teaching credentials from a normal school in Georgia College, so she was never able to be a teacher.. Blenda Wilson's said that her father suffered from discrimination in the northern part of the United States. He had completed his training at a local vocational technical school, and earned his certificate as an electrician. However, to become an electrician, or to do his electrical apprenticeship. But because he was black no on one would hire him as an apprentice. So he became a just a laborer not an electrician. Blenda Wilson then described her own experiences with not only racial discrimination, but both gender and age discrimination.


Despite her having earned membership in the National Honor Society at her high school in Woodbridge, New Jersey, her totally unhelpful high school guidance counselor just refused to even to talk to Blenda about going to college. Her counselor had told her she was not going to college and learn to type so many she could become a secretary. Wilson recalled that she had heard that women's colleges were providing scholarships for smart black students. I thought. She following up on that information she was focused on finding a good college that would pay for her tuition, books, room and board.


Young Blenda wrote many colleges to see who would pay for her entire college costs. After many letters she received scholarship offers from several major colleges, but initially they offered only one-year scholarships with a series of renewals. She wanted more and was determined to get a full four-year scholarship, with all tuition, books, and living expenses covered. One college offered her full four years' tuition, room and board, plus even a travel budget, plus a work study job. She graduated with a dual major in both English and Secondary Education. She went on to earn a Master's degree in Education from Seton Hall, and then earn from Boston College her Ph.D. Then multiple forms of discrimination came to Dr. Wilson from all fronts, including some she would never have expected.


Early in her working career she experienced gender and age discrimination surprisingly from Black males, both in the community and within her organization. In spite of the fact that she was more qualified and more educated than her male Black competition, there was major opposition to her getting the job as Executive Director of the local Economic Opportunity Corporation. Dr. Blenda Wilson left the EOC, and when into higher education, only to face age discrimination because she was so young at the time. She became the Graduate School of Education at Harvard, youngest Senior Associate Dean. She again experienced discrimination because of her young age. After several intense but wonderful years she left the Harvard University, School of Education. Emily Erickson-Sandstrom (Tarot) Why don't you give specific actions instead of saying 'she experienced discrimination'? Sometimes discrimination creates entrepreneural success. If Oprah Winfrey had backing when she began, she would not wholly own her enterprise, Harpo. Please Register or Login to post new comment.


The use of blood thinners is the recommended vein treatment. Thomas Wright M.D., F.A.C.P. Laser Lipo and Vein Medical Center. He is one of the first two hundred plus surgeons in the nation to become board certified in Phlebology by the American Board of Phlebology. Phlebology is the specialty that treats the totality of venous disease. Dr Wright was voted by his peers as one of St Louis Magazine TOP DOCS in 2009. He has authored and presented several scientific papers on new surgical techniques for the treatment of venous insufficiency. He has received numerous honors including: Election to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, recipient of the AMA Physician Recognition Award and appointed as a Howard Hughes' Research Fellow.


This national honor society recognizes students who have achieved academic distinction while pursuing a premedical or predental program. The Emory College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Gamma of Georgia, was founded in 1929. Election to it is based on scholarship, breadth of culture, and general promise. Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college seniors for superior achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. The Emory College chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society for first-year students, acknowledges outstanding scholastic achievement. The Emory chapter of Sigma XI encourages original investigation in the pure and applied sciences. The chapter consists of members and associate members, including students, faculty, and staff.


Although full membership is based on achievement in original investigation, undergraduate students may be elected to associate membership. Activities include meetings for the discussion of scientific subjects; financial support, through grants-in-aid, of investigations; publication of research; and maintenance of national lectureships. Who's Who honors college and university students who have made significant contributions to their schools. Selection is based on leadership, service, and scholarship. Outstanding achievement within particular departments and programs is recognized by election to the following societies. A society of five seniors who maintain anonymity while promoting loyalty, wisdom, integrity, tradition, and vision in the life of the Emory community. This honorary society recognizes seven senior students each year for high service rendered to the University without expectation of reward. ODK recognizes student, faculty, staff, and alumni leadership. Membership is based on character, scholarship, participation in student activities, and service to the University. Members, both men and women, are selected from throughout the University and the Association of Emory Alumni.


Teenage grief is a challenge for adults. Middle school and high school students are observant and pick up on subtleties. They are smart enough to see a future without their loved one, but lack the maturity to plan this future. Adults must help them at a time when they may refuse help. Terry Martin, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and Thanatology at Hood College in Maryland, thinks adults may learn by observing teens. In an article, "Learning from Teens," published in the Association for Death Education and Counseling Newsletter (January 2010 issue) he says teens are reluctant to tell their stories, but eventually do so.


Martin uses ice breakers to get them to share and passes around a "talking stick." "Rarely does the stick touch more than three different hands before there are shared tears," he writes. As teens tell their stories themes become evident, such as where teens were when they heard about the loss, what happened next, and how they are trying to get back to normal. Teens talk about transitional objects that help them cope with loss. The object may be a plush animal left from grade school or a gift they received from the deceased. In her book, "The Grieving Teen" Helen Fitzgerald details this special grief.


Though teens need to tell their stories, she says the stories do not change the facts. However, "sharing problems with someone makes our load seem more manageable." Teens should not bottle up their feelings, Fitzgerald points out, and may seek help from a school counselors, religious communities, relatives and friends, and mental health centers. School support groups also help teens to share their stories. You may think your teen is not sharing feelings, when in reality, they are text messaging friends dozens of times a day. Teens also call each other often and check social websites. Many adults, and I am one of them, are grieving while teens are grieving. I am a GRG, grandparent raising grandchildren, and grieving for four loved ones while my grandchildren are grieving, is the greatest challenge of my life.


Rando thinks adults need to do their best, help children mourn, and take action to "further a successful resolution" to grief. This takes realistic expectations, an understanding of personal grief, and tapping resources. It also takes honesty. I am honest with my grandchildren, but I do not push them. In six short months they lost their mother, father, beloved cocker spaniel, house, and neighborhood. Coping with these losses will take time and patience. Instead of nagging, I suggest. Instead of harsh language, I choose gentle words. Instead of being glum, I look for humor. I have let my grandchildren do their grief work at their own pace, and my patience has paid off. The twins are straight A students, laughing again, volunteering with the National Honor Society, and researching colleges. When they leave for college I will cry and I will cheer. We made it through grief together.