I love telling stories or writing songs with the “I can do anything” theme, because I feel that this theme is basic for watering the sunflower within everyone and helping each person to grow to their fullness. In-tact self-esteem is hard to come by, yet can be nourished and tended to from the first breath of life to the last breath. It is the core foundation of feeling that life’s possibilities are limitless for you and for your child. Some of the YOU TUBE videos I have recommended in this newsletter demonstrate this “YES YOU CAN” attitude and value. Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, Self-Belief are rarely intact in so many children and adults, but it is never too late to encourage and support each other, and in doing so…as one of my songs says…”the nicer you are to yourself, the less you’ll pick on somebody else” (From “The No Bully Rap Song” on the CDs, “Friends Forever” and “Celebrate!”). My favorite focus area is to encourage self-confidence and self-love, and sometimes by singing or saying a catchy jingle, rap, or telling a meaningful story with this theme…the glimmer of “YES I CAN” illuminates within a child or adult. Self-esteem is a lifetime process. I also recognize that we also have to surround ourselves with people in our lives that are positive forces and “*fill our bucket” towards blossoming and becoming all we can be *(Please see/read any of Carol McCloud’s books on “Have you Filled a Bucket Today?–they are great!). I also humbly encourage you to download the following original “YES YOU CAN” songs from i-tunes or purchase the full CDs on www.cherylmelody.com. Here are a few I highly recommend for children and for the wounded child within each of us: “You Can Do Anything”/ “The Friendship Song: CD, “Songs that Make the Heart Feel Good!”///”Shake Your Own Hand,” on my CD, “Celebrate!”///Small-Tall Mousie, on my CD, “Let’s Pretend and More!” // /”World Peace-The Children’s Dream” -entire CD is a YES YOU CAN story, as is the entire original FRIENDS FOREVER story. I have also written a “Yes, you can change the world” 3 act musical for older children as well. Information is on my website. These plays, songs and stories will give tools that can be turned to when all lecturing and other resources have not gotten through to the core of the person. Sometimes the arts “gets through” in ways nothing else can. On a personal note, my purpose in writing these particular type of songs is to remind MYSELF to love and appreciate who I am and then to help you raise children with these catchy songs and messages. I look forward to helping you reinforce “Yes You Can” through my concerts, workshops, keynotes and my award winning CDs. And, by the way, “Yes You Can” have a Happy New Year! Here is to New Beginnings of helping to build self-esteem, self-appreciation and self-awareness in ourselves and in encouraging these qualities in everyone around you. When these characteristics are strong, the toxic negative energy of bullying, teasing, meanness is lessened greatly-so let’s all work together for the sake of building a more loving world, one by one by one. “Each of us can be the changes we want in the world.”
