Sisters trace self-esteem journey

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Sister Michele Meyers and Sister Kaye O'Neil held a large crowd spell bound at times, talking about self-esteem, communication, assertiveness and spirituality as the Life-Living Series 2002 kicked off Monday night at the New Ulm Middle School Auditorium.

Members of the Order of Presentation Sisters in Le Sueur, the women began their presentation by talking about their experiences with the late Bishop Raymond Lucker.

"One of the things I remember most about him was the time he said that in his 25 years in New Ulm, he learned that God is here," O'Neil said.

She described their enjoyable ride on Sibley County Highway 8 between Le Sueur and New Ulm Monday evening.

"We saw four deer walking slowly in a row near the deer crossing sign just before sunset. It reminded me of the beauty of living in a rural area," O'Neil said.

She urged the audience not to sell out on themselves, to make a difference for goodness and love in the corner of the vineyard.

"Ask yourself if things are better where you work and live because you are there? Look at the positives in your world and realize nobody is perfect," O'Neil said.

"We're a lot easier to live and work with when we believe in ourselves," Meyers said.

If somebody is grouchy to you, they should be asked if they are having a hard time loving themselves, O'Neil said.

Meyers stressed the need to be pleasant, thoughtful and kind. She urged people to take a few seconds of their time to connect with people.

"It only takes one person to make a difference by greeting everybody by name," Meyers said.

O'Neil said you may not realize the vibrations you put out until you get some of them back.

She said everybody suffers from the "tough stuff." Both women survived a serious car accident and breast cancer.

Meyers stressed the need to smile, stop and talk to people.

Their steps to better self-esteem are:

1. Positive self-esteem is positive self-talk.

2. Know you are God's powerful possibility, a spark of the Divine. Don't let others use, abuse or take advantage of you.

3. Don't die without loving yourself.

4. Seek help from others.

5. Believe your approval of yourself is more important than other's approval.

6. Don't sell out on yourself or be pushed around by others.

Next Monday night's Life-Living Series is called The Gift of Life. Tom Jorgenson, called passionate, humorous, musical and inspiring, was in a coma and on a respirator for five weeks. He recovered to teach and coach for nine years before retiring.