"Be very, very careful about what you put into that head, because you'll never, ever get it out."

Thomas Cardinal Wolsey's well-known quote seems a little pessimistic at a glance, but is actually one of the most accurate facts on paper. It can work both ways. Memories are fantastic things. In fact, I regularly enjoy reminiscing about my childhood and am grateful that some moments I can still remember vibrantly. However, as always, there is a flip-side to our brain's fantastic ability to cling on to information. 

One cruel, self-spiting thought can quickly transform your mind into a very hostile place indeed. That one thought has the potential to ruin a life, or at least make it impossible for people to reach their full potential. Negative body image, non-existent self esteem and self-loathing are nasty little buggers who slyly wheedle their way in to even the most distant nooks and crannies of a person's head and cause carnage. Please, please don't let it. Your soul does not deserve to be ridiculed and belittled. 

Think of it as being a little bit like feeding a plant weed killer. After a while, the plant will diminish and shrivel up, unable to function properly. If it is cared for and fed nutrients, however, this plant will flourish and burst into magnificent bloom, developing a deep network of roots to support it. If you want a more fulfilled, joyful life, start with being kind to yourself.