“Love yourself first, because that’s who you’ll be spending the rest of your life with.”
“Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have.”
“Falling in love with yourself first doesn’t make you vain or selfish – it makes you indestructible.”
These quotes about loving yourself are so powerful and so true, yet I must admit, I am my own worst critic. I have this constant voice in my head: “you’re not good enough, why did you do that?, that was dumb” etc. I spend so much time building others up- why don’t I build myself up as well? I have this thing about being perfect. I strive for excellence in everything I do and if I don’t meet my own unattainable expectations, I am disappointed in myself. Logically, I know it’s wrong, but I still do it- it’s like a bad habit. All the more reason to start doing daily affirmations.
“Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat them often, and believe in them, you can start to make positive changes. You might consider affirmations to be unrealistic “wishful thinking.” –Using Affirmations, Mindtools
Affirmations are just as important for kids as they are for adults, maybe even more so. Think of how powerful it would be to start this routine early on in life. Author Becky Cummings supports this concept with her books: My Magical Words and The Magic of Me.
My Magical Words is a book of positive affirmations for children. It teaches children that WORDS have POWER, so what they say about themselves is important. The Magic of Me encourages kids to love themselves, love others, and be the change they wish to see in the world.
My children and I love this book. Not only does it have absolutely beautiful illustrations, it’s full of affirmations that you and your children can read together.
An interview with Becky:
Tell us a little about yourself.
After years of scraping icy windshields and wearing a coat until May, my family and I traded in our snow shovels for sandals and relocated to Florida from Connecticut. I gave up my tutoring and Zumba companies, and my husband left his job in aerospace. We found an ideal place to raise our three young children ages 4, 5, and 8. We have been here just over four months now and I feel at home already.
My desire to become a children’s author started when I was an elementary classroom teacher. I felt frustrated because there were things I wanted to teach my students that were not in the curriculum. We don’t spend enough time on the basics, the fundamental wisdom our children need to lead healthy and happy lives, so they become confident, well-adjusted adults that truly thrive in the world.
I saw writing as a pathway to spread my messages easily to thousands, perhaps millions of kids. My first book, The Magic of Me: A Kid’s Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness, launched in the fall of 2018. Geared towards 8-12 year old children, it contains 30 short chapters that teach them life’s most important lessons.
I wrote my first picture book shortly after and titled it, My Magical Words. I wanted to teach young children that their words have power and what they say about themselves matters. The book contains “I am” statements, also known as positive affirmations, such as I am happy, I am loved, I am smart, I am healthy and much more.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was teaching in the classroom, so in my mid 20s.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Dancing, traveling, art, decorating, exercising, biking, hiking, exploring, going out to eat.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written six. Two books are published, four are in the works. My first one is really my heart and soul poured onto paper. My picture books will be grown from that.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Teacher, artist, anything with animals.
What is your favorite part about being an author?
Changing the way kids think, inspiring them, encouraging them, motivating them .
Tell us something about yourself that many people don’t know.
I am an advanced salsa dancer.
What’s next for you?
A thanksgiving story and my second and third books in The Magic of Me series.
“Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all“
-These lyrics, from the hit song The Greatest Love of All, sung by Whitney Houston, are so powerful and inspiring. They are truly words to live by, as are the affirmations in Becky’s books.
Find out more about Becky and her books on Facebook, Instagram and her website.