Dec 05 2008
L. S. M. F. T.
When I was a kid my dad smoked Lucky Strikes. Strong,
unfiltered, all in all a VERY efficient “nicotine delivery
system.” On the bottom (I think) was printed L.S.M.F.T.
I found out years later that it stood for Lucky Strike Means
Fine Tobacco.
Trust me when I say that I do NOT want to chat with you
about cigarettes.
Later in life I discovered the world of “Self Help” and
“Positive Thinking.” I had always gone through life thinking
that I was a pretty positive person. And perhaps I was,
based on who I was hanging around with. Out of that group I
was clearly the most upbeat. But when once I got to know
a truly uplifting person, well, frankly, it was a genuine
shock.
I wasn’t even sure if I liked this individual. When you are
not positive it can be HARD to be around someone who is.
What I discovered was - like him or not - I liked the
results he was getting in life.
And so began my journey of becoming, which by it’s very
nature forced me into honest self appraisal. It seems that
this is the major sticking point for most of us. Once I took
open honest stock of who I was….well I also was forced to
see where I ‘might’ be headed.
That simple process exposed me to me. It was ugly. I did not
like what I saw, as a matter of fact, I didn’t believe it at
first. My reaction? Predictable now. I figured that I was
not the problem, it was the process I was in. So I stopped.
I went back to hanging at the bar after work and more. The
whole thing left me frustrated and ANGRY.
But slowly the thought came creeping back to me. The people
I knew who followed the philosophy of becoming the best they
could be had better results in life than those who just
lived from day to day. So I went back to my reading and
working at hanging around “them.” I’ll be the first to admit
that it was an up and down, back and forth process. Then one
day, in my reading I came across another definition for
LSMFT. I wish I could remember which book it was in. But
truthfully the only thing I remember is this.
Low Self-esteem Means Friction and Trouble. WOW! What a
statement! I began to see what had happened to me (and
millions of others). I had no feeling of self worth. Before
I could move forward I had to believe in myself. Not the
phony self-esteem thing they are doing in schools today.
No, it had to be real.
I had to look at who I was and what I had done and what I
was doing to begin to see the genuine value I had. How about
you? I am SURE that there are many good positive things that
are YOUR FAULT. Forget the negative past! As a friend of
mine says, “Polish your dimples.” Look and the good you have
done and FOCUS on that. If you are lucky enough to have a
spouse who loves you despite your faults they can help. I
did. My wife often lifts me up for my good points (even
in public!) and tries not to mention my weaknesses. And
don’t forget the innate value humans have been given by our
Creator. We are in His image, and thereby blessed.
That is the beginning. Once you have realized you are not
your problems, you begin to see that you are your potential.
As the song says, “I am a possibility.”
It falls on those of us that “get it” to realize that we are a
Masterpiece in Progress (a great book & shining example by
Jeff Steinberg). We need to help others see the same of
themselves. What a world it will be, when we all were
uplifting each other.
Help children realize they have a value and a purpose.
Whatever it is that they are good at….build on it. You
want to improve the self-esteem of a child? It’s simple. You
do it the same way you do with an adult.
I created a mental picture. Every time I look at another
person, that includes younger persons like children, I
envision these letters BOLD on their forehead: M M I F.
It’s a reminder. Because when I visualize that I remember what we all want; Make Me Feel Important.
It is what we all need. The wonderful thing in acting that
way….it comes back to you sometimes. Brighten the world
you live in and the light will shine on you too.
Till next time. Good luck and God Bless.
Khalkru
