From the Leadership Program, the art of self-talk
Patricia stands outside a cyber café in the city of Kakamega, Kenya. Cafes like this rent computers to students, literally by the minute. This can get expensive, but it’s still hard to find time on café machines particularly at busy periods in the academic year. The laptops CES provides to our Leadership students mean that these students can be more efficient in completing their assignments.
What follows is an example of study materials developed by CESCED Principal Patricia Makori, for use in the Leadership Program. It’s good advice for anyone to live by, not just students.
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“Making a living is not to be compared to making a life”
- Kathryn Sandford
One of the most tragic things happening in Kenyan society is the loss of our young people due to suicide. The pressures are mounting on lives that once held great promise. Unemployment, financial hardship, broken relationships, and unrealistic expectations of others not met can place a huge burden on our youth. Tragically, these can also lead to unhealthy behaviours, substance abuse and an untimely death.
It is normal to lose hope and to feel that life has passed you by. There are dark days in life when one loses track of all meaning and purpose. It is primarily at these moments, that two things must occur:
a) Tell yourself that you need HELP;
b) Tell yourself there is a way forward.
Doing this is the beginning of something very important…“Self-Talk”.
Seeking Help is important - but friends and family and even professional help may not be available right away. Friends can sympathize, even empathize, while others will want to tell you what to do. These are not always helpful when you are struggling to make sense of it all.
Yet, YOU are available. YOU are present. YOU can talk to yourself.
It’s all about Practicing Positive Affirmations (PPA)
When we practice PPA daily, we not only share kind and loving words with ourselves — we start to believe them. The key is that your mind is forming the message and you are actually speaking to your heart.
It also helps to verbalize - to say it ‘out loud’, and to hear yourself saying it. Yes, you are talking to yourself but you are not crazy. And don’t worry about what others may say - it is none of their business. Try PPA, several times a day, create a mantra for yourself.
But first, take a step back, and ask yourself where those emotions and bad feelings are coming from. Is it motivated by what others have told you, that you are not smart enough or good enough? Are you doubting yourself because others are moving ahead faster than you are? When we look deeper into our self-limiting beliefs, we begin to see the faults in these stories we’ve told ourselves. We see how we’ve kept ourselves from stepping into the truth of who we really are - created to succeed and achieve great things, one who “shines a light in the darkness.”
Try some of these ideas, make up your own version - be bold as you try “Self-Talk”. You can even find meaning in verses and quotes like, “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength.”
With Practice comes Promise. Your life will not change in an instant, but over time positive changes will happen. Your spirit will be lifted, your story will be brighter. Talk to yourself - hear it…believe it…receive it.
Morning Affirmations
I can create the life I’ve always dreamed of
I celebrate each day with gratitude
Today I will succeed
Today is full of possibilities
I will get through this day - nothing lasts forever
I survived yesterday - I will do the same today
I choose to make it a good day
Every day I am getting better and better
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Affirmations for Health & Healing
I am grateful for my strong, healthy body
I deserve to be healthy and well
Healing takes time, I will be patient
I love the person I am becoming
I will take care of my body, my mind, and my heart
I will listen to my inner voice
I am growing stronger each day
Affirmations for Relationships
I can open up my heart to others
My needs and wants are important
My relationships help me grow as a person
I will associate with positive and caring people
I will write my story to include friends of like mind
I will communicate openly and honestly
I choose to love, and I deserve to receive love from others
I am grateful to those who have helped me in my life
Affirmations for When You’re Struggling
I am enough - I have always been enough - I will always be enough
I have everything within me to reach the success I desire
I gain more experience and more wisdom as I age
I have a gift for finding the beauty in everything
I deserve to be seen and heard
I have the power to change
I will always hold onto hope.
My life is not measured by those who like me on social media
When I fall down, I will get up again
Failure is simply an opportunity for me to learn
This too shall pass
Positive Affirmations
I stand proudly in my truth
I will walk the talk
I am blessed so I can bless others
I am surrounded by angels
Good things flow toward me as I share with others
I am having a positive impact on those I meet
I will put my faith and trust in God
My work inspires others
I find beauty and meaning in nature
I matter - all lives matter
My help comes from above
My potential is limitless
08/2025
PNM Communications
