Teen Esteem Council » Self Esteen

Take the 1st Step Toward Your Ideal Life

Mat Edvik — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:17:57 +0000

Today Summer and Mat help you get ready to take the first step toward living your ideal life.

We also wanted to thank everyone for listening. The support has been Great!

Thoughts and Fruit Trees

Mat Edvik — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:23:53 +0000

Everyone thinks the principal thing to the tree is the fruit, but in point of fact the principle thing to it is the seed. FriedrichWilhelm Nietzsche

In our last podcast we discussed how amazing our world is. We talked about some of the incredible technology that makes our lives easier and more enjoyable. I can honestly say that I would not choose another time in history to be alive. Seriously! Summer is coming upon us and in many parts of the country that means HEAT! How did people live without air conditioning. I am so grateful that someone had the idea that they could create an air conditioner.

Anyway, the point that I am trying to make is that just as we enjoy the fruit that grows from a tree, we enjoy the fruits of other peoples ideas. And just as we would not have any fruit from the tree if someone had not planted the seed, we would not havve any of these great things that make our life easier if someone had not planted and nurtured the thought that led to it’s creation.

Thoughts truly are the seed of great ideas.

So what do you spend your time thinking about? Are your thoughts getting you closer to self esteem and happiness? Are your thoughts keeping you stuck in mediocrity?

Pay attention to your thoughts, they manifest into your life.

So, I Understand Hormones, Now What?

Mat Edvik — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:57:05 +0000

In this episode of the Teen Esteem Council Podcast, Summer and Mat continue their discussion of how Hormones influence a teenage girl’s perception of the world. They key word in that sentence is influence. Summer and Mat talk about how even though hormones are a powerful influence on perception, they do not have to control the things that you do.

Forgiveness

Mat Edvik — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:52:16 +0000

Jesus once taught that his followers were to forgive others. “How often should we forgive?” they asked. His answer was, “70 times 7.”
As a math teacher, the multiplication is easy. The answer is 490. Does that mean that we should get a notebook and write down every single time a person hurts us or offends us? Then when they get to 490 offenses against us we are justified in feeling anger and hatred toward that person? The answer to that question is… of course not.
I had a simple experience many years ago that taught me the importance of forgiving.
Admittedly, the offence that I experienced pales in comparison to some of the horrible things that have happened to people, and I have no intention of minimizing those things. However, I believe the principle is applicable in all situations.
I was expecting to go on a date with a girl that I was very infatuated with. We had gone on a few dates and I wanted to move the relationship on to the next level. Well, for the 2nd date in a row she stood me up. Not only that I found out that she was on a date with someone else. I was hurt and then I became angry! I started thinking of all the ways that I could let her know how hurt and angry I was and how I could make the situation fair and right.
But then I realized that I was the one who was feeling angry. She was out on a date having a good time. She did not care how I was feeling. I was the one feeling bad… not her.
I decided to forgive her, not for her sake… but because I did not want to feel ager and hate and all the negative emotions that go along with being hurt and mad. I didn’t need to get revenge to feel better. I did have to make a decision that I wanted to feel good.
Forgiveness is not for the offender. It is the cleansing agent, that when practiced, cleanses the heart of the offended so that they don’t have to carry the burden of hatred and anger around inside themselves.