Confidence

What is confidence? Well, according to Marriam-Webster confidence is: 1 a: a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances b: faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way 2: the quality or state of being certain 3 a: a relation of trust or intimacy b: reliance on another's discretion c: support especially in a legislative body 4: a communication made in confidence. Some synonyms of confidence are: Assurance and self-possession. So, is confidence something that can be taught? Are you born with confidence?

Here is what I think. Confidence is something that you are given. As one who has lacked confidence (I know, you would never really have guessed this, right?), I have tired to make sure that my children have always had the confidence to walk into any situation and deal with it. This may be as easy as walking into a new classroom at the beginning of the school year wondering if you know anyone, or it may be as hard as walking into a crowded room knowing that you don't know anyone, but still walking with your head up high. I think I have taught my children that no matter what you have done or what people think of you, it really does not matter. The most important thing is what do you think of yourself. Are those people talking behind your back? What are they saying? Truth? Lies? Does it matter? Hold your head up high and own the situation. Even if it is as minor as having a new haircut that you are a little unsure about to as major as a "family scandal", have the confidence, the assurance, the self-possession to take the situation into your own hands.