Email a link to this page to: Type the code into the box:

Resources Basic Information General Self-Esteem Information Introduction to Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem And DepressionThings You Can Do Right Away to Improve Self-EsteemBuilding Self-Esteem by Changing Negative Thoughts Nurturing Children's Self-Esteem Nurturing Children's Self-Esteem IntroductionWhy Self-Esteem is Important and Its DimensionsBenefits of Healthy High Self-EsteemFactors Influencing the Development of Self-esteemFostering Self-Esteem with CommunicationBalancing Praise and CriticismGuidelines for Correcting or Disciplining ChildrenCommunication Strategies to Build Children's Self-EsteemCommunication Strategies ContinuedBuilding Self-Esteem with Love, Affection and AttentionBuilding Self-Esteem by Encouraging Children to Take On ChallengesBuilding Self-Esteem by Fostering IndividualityAllowing for Children's PrivacyBuilding Self-Esteem by Encouraging Socialization (Group Involvement)Finding BalanceNurturing Children's Self-Esteem ConclusionAppendix A. Volunteer ServiceAppendix A. Volunteer Services ContinuedAppendix B. Camp ExperiencesAppendix B. Choosing a CampAppendix B. Preparing Children for CampAppendix B. Emotional Preparation (Managing Homesickness) Questions and Answers How Can I Not Lie Anymore?We Broke Up Because of His Mother.. I Had an Abortion. Having Suicidal ThoughtsAlways the Friend Teenaged girl at risk for Eating Disorders writes, "i want to be confidant with my body"When there is someone who is better looking than me, I feel inadequateInsane JealousyWhats wrong with me?Going through his thingsComing to Terms With My Own Pathetic ExistenceFriends With BenefitsMs. DoubtfulI Am A LoserOn Becoming A PersonWhy Do I Provoke A Negative Attitude In Others?GuiltyHe Stopped Calling MeLanguage Fluency EnvyA Lack Of Self-LoveWhy Won't They Stay With Me?Confidence ProblemI'm a LoserLow Self-EsteemUnhappy and In TherapyInspiring Self-ConfindenceAm I Good Enough?Lack of Social SkillsLinda writes: Blog Entries What is Toxic Shame?Building up Your Self Efficacy 9 Clever Ways to Gain ConfidenceSelf-Esteem and Low Self-Esteem Are LearnedThink Big Taming Our Inner DialogueThe Problem of Self-Esteem and NarcissismTell Yourself You're Worth It!Try Something New to Boost Self-Esteem Two Keys to Self-EsteemThe Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman CaseWhat is Meant by The Self? Acceptable, Cute AggressionWhat is the Mind and What Is the Brain?Prejudice, Racism and PerceptionLearning, When Failure OccursWill Power, Should I Make the Effort?Clarifying and Understanding Those With NarcissismDepression and the Pressure to ConformTo Succeed or Not to Succeed, That is The QuestionWhat’s Your Button? Making Peace with ImperfectionBuilding Self-Esteem, Self-Responsibility, and Self-EfficacySelf-Esteem - Why It MattersDoes Your Opinion Matter?Self-Criticism- Self-Esteem's Saboteur Are Men Becoming More Conscious? 3 Practical Steps to Making a Happier BrainDo You Have the "I am a Fraud" Syndrome?An ancient way that has been called an "antidote" to fearPursue a New You Through True Self ValueThe Sexual Harassment of Girls and Sexual Minorites In Our SchoolsDo You Ask for Help?My Ten New Year ResolutionsWhy People Remain In Abusive Relationships: Another Point of View Videos Social Interaction When You Have Low Self-EsteemHow To Say No With Confidence And Build Self-Esteem The skill of self confidenceMeet Yourself: A User's Guide to Building Self-EsteemThe 6 Pillars of Self-EsteemChildren Build Self-Esteem, Increase Confidence, Stop BulliesSelf-Esteem Links [1] Articles[1] Associations[2] Information[7] Videos[1] Blogs[3] Apps Book Reviews A Wish for Wings That WorkBodies out of BoundsChange Your Brain, Change Your LifeEmbracing UncertaintyEverything on a WaffleHandbook of Self and IdentityHollow KidsIn Pursuit of HappinessLiving Your Best LifeMore Than a LabelSelf-CompassionShame and GuiltTaming Your Inner BratThe Gift of ShynessThe Power of Negative ThinkingThe Quest for Peace, Love, and a 24'' WaistThink Confident, Be ConfidentThink NakedWhy Is It Always About You?

Therapist Search Find a Therapist:  (USA/CAN only) Use our Advanced Search to locate a therapist outside of North America.

Related Topics Abuse Child & Adolescent Development: Overview Eating Disorders Emotional Resilience Child Development & Parenting: Middle (8-11) Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty Mental Disorders Autism ADHD Alcohol & Substance Abuse Anxiety Disorders Bipolar Disorder Conversion Disorders Depression (Unipolar) Depression Primer Disorders of Childhood Eating Disorders Dissociative Disorders Impulse Control Disorders Internet Addiction Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Personality Disorders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Schizophrenia Sexual Disorders Suicide & Self-Harm Tourettes and other Tic Disorders Medical Disorders Alzheimers And Other Dementias Cancer Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Colds and Flu Crohns Disease / Irritable Bowel Diabetes Epilepsy Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Memory Problems Men's Health Multiple Sclerosis Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sleep Disorders Stroke Women's Health Wellness Anger Management Emotional Resilience Exercise Mindfulness Positive Psychology Smoking Stress Reduction Weight Loss Life Issues Abuse Adoption Child Care Dating Disabilities Disasters Divorce Domestic Violence and Rape Elder Care Family & Relationship Issues Grief & Bereavement Issues Pain Management Parenting Parenting Child & Adolescent Development Overview Child Development and Parenting: Infants Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood Pregnancy Infertility Child Care Relationship Problems Self Esteem Sexuality & Sexual Problems Speech Problems Terrorism & War Healthcare Health Insurance Health Policy & Advocacy Health Sciences Mental Health Professions Treatments & Interventions Alternative Medicine Assessment Medications Psychotherapy Lifespan Development Pregnancy Child & Adolescent Development Overview Child Development and Parenting: Infants Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood Sexuality & Sexual Problems Homosexuality & Bisexuality Aging & Geriatrics Death & Dying

	Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. A blog about mindfulness, stress-reduction, psychotherapy and mental health.
View Full Archive   Dr. Goldstein's Biography   Contact Dr. Goldstein

You may have heard of the wonderful little story of Corduroy who was a small teddy bear in a shopping store with a button missing on his overalls. Corduroy had an imperfection and when a little girl came up to him and asked to buy him, her mom said, “not today dear, we’ve already spent enough already.” When they left, Corduroy was disturbed that he had this imperfection and went around the store on little adventures in search of his button. He never found it, but the next day the little girl came back, bought Corduroy imperfection and all, gave him a home and a friend.

This is a famous book read to millions of children who not only love the book, but the parents love the book. Why? Because it touches on a topic we can all identify with, this idea of being imperfect, but still deserving of love.

We all have a button missing somewhere. Maybe it comes out in a physical way, being bald, overweight, having wrinkles, or a birthmark somewhere.

Or maybe it arrives in a mental way as we struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessions, or addictive behaviors.

However, at the heart of it, we all want to feel like we belong, we want a home and we want a friend. That is why this little book as enjoyed almost half a century of success and continues to remind us of this important lesson.

The fact is, no matter how alone you feel with your imperfections, everyone shares them, perfectly imperfect and still lovable.

Do this inquiry, just ask these questions to yourself and see what comes up:

What is your button? Is there a way you can see that there is more right with you than wrong with you? What has having this button taught you or you can ask, what has been the gifts from the experience of this button?

As always, please share your thoughts, stories and questions below. Your interaction creates a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in West Los Angeles and is author of the upcoming book The Now Effect, co-author of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook, Foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of the Mindful Solutions audio series, and the Mindfulness at Work™ program currently being adopted in multiple multinational corporations.

Check out Dr. Goldstein's acclaimed CD's on Mindful Solutions for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, Mindful Solutions for Addiction and RelapsePrevention, and Mindful Solutions for Success and Stress Reduction at Work. -- "They are so relevant, I have marked them as one of my favorites on a handout I give to all new clients" ~ Psychiatrist.

If you're wanting to integrate more mindfulness into your daily life, sign up for his Mindful Living Twitter Feed. Dr. Goldstein is also available for private psychotherapy.

Share:

Email a link to this page to:

Type the code into the box:

Link: (Here's how to do it ... )

To link to this article:

1. Copy the HTML link code shown in the box just below.
2. Paste this HTML code into your blog or web page, into a forum post or a blog comment you make, into your Facebook feed, etc.

<a href="//mhn.centersite.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=42855&cn=96">What’s Your Button? Making Peace with Imperfection</a>

Thank you!

Great as usual ! - - Apr 18th 2011

In a world where it seems as if everything has to look or be a certain way, the things that make us unique are great. It is, at times, the missing buttons that make us so lovable. This is the message I have tried to relate to the children I've been teaching over the years.