You shape your life with your thoughts. With your thoughts you make your world. Your inner world reflects your outer world. The results of everything you do are just a mirror of your mind.

It is a fact of life that  most of us have utterly incorrect concepts when it comes to defining ourselves. Before we delve deeper into this complex subject of the essence of success and happiness,  I want to share with you this poignant verse. It embodies the key principles that will lead you to success and ultimately true happiness.

Make this verse your mantra, copy it and pin it up on a wall where you see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night; and watch your self esteem grow in due cause.

I do not define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my path
I define myself by the courage I have found to forge new roads
I do not define myself by how many disappointments I have faced
I define myself by the forgiveness and faith I have found to begin again
I do not define myself by how long a relationship lasted
I define myself by how much I loved, and been willing to love again
I do not define myself by how many times I have been knocked down
I define myself by how many times I have struggled to my feet

I am not my pain
I am not my past

I am that which has emerged from the fire