Improve Self Esteem
Improve
self esteem with a self pride list...simple, yet it works!
Improving
Your Self Esteem
By Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
Often in our society, we are bombarded with the lives of celebrities.
We can end up feeling that if we are not part of the rich and famous,
our lives are insignificant. Our society also sends a message of
competition and achievement. We watch sports, we always hear about
profit and the bottom line being the dollar, we see large companies
competing and constantly buying each other out. The result often
is that we are taught to see how well we are doing, in terms of
how pretty we are, how bright we are, what kind of house we have,
how well we do in sports, what rewards we receive.
However,
in reality, these are external measures. Each of us needs to develop
a sense of self-worth, a capacity for positive self-regard that
comes from within.
Here
is an example: Sara was divorced and felt in many ways that she
had shortchanged her two daughters, in the sense that they lived
on very little money. She could shower few luxuries on them. At
times, in her therapy, she talked to me about feeling that she was
not much good at anything. Her husband had been abusive both physically
and mentally, and had put her down almost constantly. Although she
no longer lived with him, inside of herself she still carried feelings
of worthlessness. One day I asked her to review some of the best
moments in her childhood. She said, I always loved when Uncle
Sam used to come over, and we all sang songs. I asked her
if she did anything like that now, with her girls. She said that
they often sang together in the car. In fact, she had taught them
many of the songs that Uncle Sam had taught her. I asked her if
she realized that she was offering her girls some of the wonderful
family memories that were unique to her as a child. She said she
hadn't thought about it, but it was certainly true.
During
months of therapy, we worked again and again in recognizing many
valuable aspects of herself. Needless to say, her self-esteem began
to improve. Sara is an example for all of us, in the sense that
each person has to document his or her own positive talents and
strengths. We have to learn to pat ourselves on the back. To help
you, I suggest a self-pride list.
During
the coming week, write down at least one item a day that you can
take pride in having handled well. For example, I was polite and
kind to several people in the supermarket checkout line, even though
I was tired. Or, I used my head, rather than my fist, and really
shared with my son my concerns over his getting another traffic
ticket. At the end of the week, read over your self-pride list,
giving yourself a mental hug, or the high five sign. This is the
beginning of giving yourself more recognition, which will in time
lead to an improved sense of self worth. It is only with this improved
sense of self-esteem that you can have the confidence to make sure
that your life is filled with enchantment.
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Dr.
Barbara Becker Holstein , originator of THE ENCHANTED SELF®,
a method of bringing delight and meaning into everyday living, invites
you to view her new line of ENCHANTED WOMAN products, downloadable
e-books, and free gifts at http://www.enchantedself.com.
Order her book and other woman products, at http://www.enchantedself.com/ordering/ordering.htm
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