I am a person.
I am special.
I am important.
Not because of things I do,
Not because of what I look like,
Not because of what I have...
Just because I am.

This is my body.
It is special.
It is one of a kind.
It is growing and changing.
I want to take care of my body...
Because it’s mine.

My body talks to me.
It tells me when I’m hungry.
It tells me when I’m sleepy.
It tells me when I’m sick.
I can trust my body...
To tell me what I need.

Sometimes I have strong feelings.
I feel anger.
I feel sadness.
I feel love...
These feelings belong to me.

When I feel angry,
Sometimes I yell.
Sometimes I cry.
Sometimes I talk to someone I love...
And then I feel better.

When I feel sad,
I need to cry.
I need a hug.
I need to tell someone about my sadness...
So I know it’s okay to be sad.

When I feel scared,
Scared of the dark,
Scared of people and things I don’t know,
I need to feel protected by someone I trust...
I need to feel safe.

When I feel love,
I feel warm and snuggly.
I feel happy and safe.
I feel important and special...
I can love myself.

I am learning and growing every day.
I learn by looking.
I learn by listening.
I learn by doing.
Sometimes I make mistakes…
That’s part of learning, too.

I can make decisions.
Sometimes I say “yes.”
I say “yes” to playing and dancing.
I say “yes” to laughing and singing.
I say “yes” to hugging and touching...
When it feels right to me.

Sometimes I say “no.”
I say “no” to danger.
I say “no” to hugging and touching that feels wrong to me.
I say “no” to strangers and things that hurt me...
I can decide. It’s up to me.

I have needs.
It’s important to let people know what I need.
I can ask for help when I need it.
I can ask someone who cares about me to help...
And then I know I’m not alone.

I am myself.
I am special and unique.
My body is a part of me.
My feelings are a part of me.
My thoughts are a part of me.
My needs are a part of me.
All of these things make up a special person...
Me.

Lauren Murphy Payne; Claudia Rohling
Just because I am: a child’s book of affirmation
Minneapolis, Free Spirit Publishing, 1994