Sometimes you'll hear people say that you can't love others until you love yourself. Sometimes you'll
hear people say that you can't expect someone else to love you until you love yourself. Either way,
you've got to love yourself first and this can be tricky. Sure we all know that we're the apple of our
parents' eyes, and that our Grandmas think we're great talents and our Uncle Roberts think that we will
go to the Olympics, but sometimes it's a lot harder to think such nice thoughts about ourselves. If you find
that believing in yourself is a challenge, it is time you build a positive self-image and learn to love yourself.
Self-image is your own mind's picture of yourself. This image includes the way you look, the way you
act, the way you talk and the way you think. Interestingly, our selfimages are often quite different from the
images others hold about us. Unfortunately, most of these images are more negative than they should be.
Thus changing the way you think about yourself is the key to changing your selfimage and your whole
world.
The best way to defeat a passive self-image is to step back and decide to stress your successes. That
is, make a list if you need to, but write down all of the great things you do every day. Don't allow doubts
to occur in it.
It very well might be that you are experiencing a neg- ative self-image because you can't move past
one flaw or weakness that you see about yourself. Well, roll up your sleeves and make a change of it as
your primary task. If you think you're silly because you aren't good at math, find a tutor. If you think
you're weak because you can't run a mile, get to the track and practice. If you think you're dull because
you don't wear the latest trends, buy a few new clothes. But remember, just because you think it doesn't
mean it's true.
The best way to get rid of a negative self-image is to realize that your image is far from objective, and
to actively convince yourself of your positive qualities. Changing the way you think and working on those
you need to improve will go a long way towards promoting a positive self-image. When you can pat(拍)
yourself on the back, you'll know you're well on your way. Good luck!
1. You need to build a positive self image when you__________.
A. dare to challenge yourself
B. feel it hard to change yourself
C. are unconfident about yourself
D. have a high opinion of yourself
2. According to the passage, our self-images__________.
A. have positive effects
B. are probably untrue
C. are often changeable
D. have different functions
3. How should you change your self-image according to the passage?
A. To keep a different image of others.
B. To make your life successful.
C. To understand your own world.
D. To change the way you think.
4. What is the passage mainly about?
A. How to prepare for your success.
B. How to face challenges in your life.
C. How to build a positive self-image.
D. How to develop your good qualities.
5. Who are the intended readers of the passage?
A. Parents.
B. Adolescents.
C. Educators.
D. People in general.
