One of my favourite Simpsons episodes was when the Jewish teacher subbed in Lisa's classroom, and showed her a whole new world - and helped her discover her interests, talents, and self.

I've never forgotten the note he handed her at the end of the show because it encourages her to be herself, no matter what she looks like or what her interests are (I wrote about it in Your Weight Loses in the Long Run http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32117.asp )

Who supports you and loves you just the way you are? Feel free to post your comments!

God.

I'm fortunate to have many people in my life that encourage me, but one thing I've learned that is very important, is to be able to encourage myself...to pick myself up when things go wrong and be able to remind myself of all the wonderful things in my life. I can have a million people lift me up, but if I don't believe in me, what other people say won't really matter. I realized this when I was struggling with my self-esteem. My mom and friends would tell me what a beautiful person I was inside and out. I really didn't believe them. I only thought they were saying these things to make me feel better. It was only until when I was able to say for myself and truly believe that I had a lot to offer, it was then that my self-esteem improved. When I'm able to encourage myself, I get that strength from God.

My husband is my very best supporter - he is there for me no matter what. But since he loves me so much, it tends to make me not believe him when he says I'm beautiful (after all he IS biased!) <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

However I came out one day dressed up and my 15 year old son went, "Wow, Mom - you look good!" kind of shocked like. I figured I must have looked pretty decent that time because now way would a teenage son actually compliment his mother, LOL! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I would have to say my husband and my parents are my biggest supporters. The 3 of them have always been encouraging and loving.

I agree with you all. My fiance', thank God for him, has been the best thing to happen to me other then the birth of both of my children. Since he and I got back together, I have grown a lot and changed for the better because of his encouragement and love. My dad and step mom have been angels for me as well. I don't know where I would be without the 3 of them.

Sometimes i looked around for encouragement from my near ones and all I got was opposite. Since then I have made God the only inspiration for encouragement.

My personal wellness coach!!

R
www.bodyshapeclinic.com

I made a wrong post earlier. My mother is always there for me.
also my elder son. I have no other naer or dear ones except my yonger son.

Ah, children....I hope they'll be encouragement to me someday!

Sure, they would be.

what about your spouse? My husband is my biggest supporter.

The people I have met on the internet and a friend of mine who was a neighbor in Ste-Florence (she is the 1 who took me and my parents in after the fire). Every other person that are in my life are negative or/and cruel. Here are there I have met nice people but they never became a part of my life.