I need to remember that other's words don't define me! I am who I am and shouldn't feel compelled to say Sorry about that!

True happiness emanates from self-esteem, which is the cornerstone of successful relationships, work, and life. Self-esteem reflects how you treat and talk to yourself. If you’re a perfectionist, deep down you may not think you or your accomplishments are good enough. Although self-esteem can fluctuate with life’s ups and downs, high self-esteem helps you return to feeling okay. You don’t blame yourself or take others’ opinions personally. Healthy self-esteem allows you to honor and trust yourself, to meet your needs, and to live authentically in accordance with your values and feelings.

Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation:

The person sits quietly and simply witnesses whatever goes through the mind, not reacting or becoming involved with thoughts, memories, worries, or images. This helps to gain a more calm, clear, and non-reactive state of mind. Mindfulness meditation can be likened to a wide-angle lens. Instead of narrowing your sight to a selected field as in concentrative meditation, here you will be aware of the entire field.

Concentrative meditation

Concentrative meditation:

focuses the attention on the breath, an image, or a sound (mantra), in order to still the mind and allow a greater awareness and clarity to emerge. This is like a zoom lens in a camera; we narrow our focus to a selected field.

The simplest form of concentrative meditation is to sit quietly and focus the attention on the breath. Yoga and meditation practitioners believe that there is a direct correlation between one's breath and one's state of the mind. For example, when a person is anxious, frightened, agitated, or distracted, the breath will tend to be shallow, rapid, and uneven. On the other hand, when the mind is calm, focused, and composed, the breath will tend to be slow, deep, and regular. Focusing the mind on the continuous rhythm of inhalation and exhalation provides a natural object of meditation. As you focus your awareness on the breath, your mind becomes absorbed in the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. As a result, your breathing will become slower and deeper, and the mind becomes more tranquil and aware.
Mindfulness meditation

How long should I meditate?

Be realistic with the amount of time you spend meditating. Begin by meditating for only 5 to 15 minutes and then increase your time as you feel appropriate. Each week try doing one longer meditation. Meditating with others can be highly beneficial and will involve a different, higher plateau of energy. Meditating with someone who has performed it longer can also bring insight and encouragement.

Aim for quality, not quantity. Begin with short sessions during which you focus with all your heart and the time will naturally increase. You can even meditate many times a day for very small amounts of time. Longer sessions will start to feel short as you continue on your spiritual journey.

Meditation produces subtle effects that you will start to see over time as you practice. Your meditation will deepen and you will be successful if you put forth the effort. But you will need to have a strong will and positive outlook without pride. With a constant stream of moderate effort, you will see your life change in positive ways.