Good self-esteem starts at home
With strong supportive care
When parents teach us as a child
To learn to love - to share

They help us with our school work,
Encouraging our skill
Giving praise to effort
Sound habits and strong will

As we live - we "paint" our soul
Graffitti or Van Gogh
How it's done is crucial
The "painting's" what we sow

"A work of art" is valued
We shield it with much care
We don't soil it doing drugs
We do what's right - what's fair

We don't cheat - steal or lie
We're prompt for work - on time
All these values form a life
A life of pride and rhyme

Good self-esteem is thoughtful
Genteel - mannered - kind
It's not rude - crude or impolite
We help those "in a bind"

Good self-esteem is not a gift
It's a feeling we must earn
A positive result
From all we do and learn

It won't come just watching "soaps"
Or playing video games
If you choose to waste your life
Poor self-esteem's your name

Such weakness joins a cult - a gang
All members "losers" - true
Those joiners have delusions
"Now - I'm someone too"

Ones who have poor self-esteem
Will try to pull you down
Avoid peer pressure like the plague
Their "pits" - a place to "drown"

Poor self-esteem ends up mean
It beats a wife - a child
No self-respect - then you can't love
Your life amuch and wild

Good self-esteem's not wasteful
No debts beyond our means
No spending "just for brag"
Who needs "designer jeans"

We don't need "props" to bolster us
Brand names - fads - "in" things
It all boils down to who we are
Not clothes nor diamond rings

No need to impress others
Those "games" that never cease
We are "the Valley People"
We've earned our inner peace

When we choose a mate for life
Good self-esteem's the thing
We won't be fooled by ego
The hurts that it can bring

And when life's journey is over
The final score is in
It will be our self-esteem
That made us lose or win