Pride is tricky. Most people don't want to hear much about your pride in yourself, and if you express pride in others it may sound like you're taking some credit for their achievements. But there is a place for pride, deep in the quiet places of your heart and mind.

You know what you've been through, and how far you've come, better than anyone else. Revisit those moments in your past when you achieved something you didn't think you could, or overcame some difficulty that seemed insurmountable. Picture that younger version of yourself and say, "Good job. I'm so proud of you. You're strong, brave and wise."

When you develop this kind of positive self talk, you are creating more personal autonomy and emotional independence, which means you will need less affirmation, recognition and praise from others. We all love to get positive feedback, so why not practice giving it to yourself?

I suggest you practice being quietly proud of yourself a little every day. In your gratitude journal, simply write, "I'm grateful to myself for..." or "I'm proud of myself for..." There is something about your choices every day that you can be proud of. I don't have to tell you that life can be very challenging...and you have stood up to every one. You're a real trooper! You've made it this far, so now make up your mind that it's only going to get better from here.

"I am fortifying my inner vitality because I am focusing beyond observation into creative imaginings."
--Cindy Parker DeFoore

"​I urge you to please notice when you're happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, if this isn't nice, I don't know what is."

"Wake up with a smile and go after life... Live it, enjoy it, taste it, smell it, feel it."

--Joe Knapp