Wednesday, March 19, 2008

How We See Ourselves

I believe that the "discovery" of self-esteem and its powerful role on how it affects everything we do is one of the most important "discoveries" in the past several centuries.

In America, we celebrate Columbus Day, the day when Columbus "discovered" America. While this is an important day for Americans, the discovery of self-esteem is important for the human race. I read in Wikipedia that the term, "self-esteem," can be traced back to 1657.

I am not going to "pretend" I am an expert in this matter. I am a novice, trying to understand the human condition and the mind and its how it regulates our ability to become everything we can become and be the best we can - in all parts of our lives.

I have decided, I get only a short period of time on this hair-ball planet, and that I am going to attempt to run my life by being the best I can be. The best I can be. Not by what others think is best for me. I believe working on me and my self-esteem allows me to break free from the trap of others' expectations of me, what I should be, what I should do, how I should behave.

When I first read about self-esteem, I began to understand a powerful concept, that I could change and improve, that was within my control and how it could improve how I saw the world and my ability to operate in it. Below are a few powerful sentences that say so much, in so few words.

This is a passage from Dr. Robert Anthony:
How you see yourself creates your behavior, and this behavior creates your environment or your results.

Wow. Think about this for just a minute or two this today. You mean, how I see myself creates my outside world? Hmmm. Am I thinking trash and negativity? Remember my earlier posts about the "Law of Attraction" and how the brain filters in through sight, smell, touch, sound -what we are thinking about.

In the next sentence, he says;
When you attach your self-worth to your accomplishments or to your behavior, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. No matter how hard you try, someone is going to think you're not okay.

Then he goes on to say,
. . . Take a look at how much of your life is about winning approval and realize this important truth: You'll never get it. You simply can't please everyone, so learn to please yourself and find relish in the person you are.

Reread these passages today and come back tomorrow to reread them. These are important "truths" that can lead to serenity and tranquility. Peace of mind, is the highest form of achievement in my view. If I can get that, I have achieved what money, recognition from others, and material possessions cannot provide me in the long run.

4 comments:

Syd said...

Like they say, "It's an inside job". I can't look to anyone else to validate me.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning All,

The unfortunate part of this is that society in general judges, and approves based on the type of car you drive, how big the house is, what zip code you live in, clothes, jewelry, hair style, the list is endless.

There is truth in what Joe presents this morning, as when the "new car" smell is gone, and the costs associated with the perception keep rising, the price is always way too high to pay for acceptance and approval of others.
Not with just material things, but with what I do, and my actions as a person.

I am blessed in many ways, and I work hard everyday on my self improvement issues. I am learning to be more comfortable in my own skin. It is refreshing, and brings a new sense of contentment to my life.

Peace this Wed.

KevinB

Anonymous said...

Good Morning All,

The unfortunate part of this is that society in general judges, and approves based on the type of car you drive, how big the house is, what zip code you live in, clothes, jewelry, hair style, the list is endless.

There is truth in what Joe presents this morning, as when the "new car" smell is gone, and the costs associated with the perception keep rising, the price is always way too high to pay for acceptance and approval of others.
Not with just material things, but with what I do, and my actions as a person.

I am blessed in many ways, and I work hard everyday on my self improvement issues. I am learning to be more comfortable in my own skin. It is refreshing, and brings a new sense of contentment to my life.

Peace this Wed.

KevinB

A.J. said...

Wow--this is GREAT! I've been thinking about the topic of "self worth" a lot lately, and I have always had a problem worrying about what people think. I think this is the beginning of letting all of that go! Thanks Joe, and KevinB and Syd for your comments!