Thoughts on Self-Esteem & Self Worth
My understanding is that we all have Self-Esteem, but it may be low, high or anywhere between. However, if our self-esteem does not depend on outward things, but instead relies on our knowledge of our inherent worth, it can neither be taken away, nor added to (because it is full and complete). Once one has an awareness of ones' inherent worth, one has high self esteem.
There are components of self esteem which can be measured, but our inherent worth cannot be measured, because it is such a high value that it cannot be added to nor subtracted from. No matter what anyone says or does to you you or thinks of you - it cannot steal your self esteem, self worth or inherent value. It can only lead you to see yourself one way or another and it depends somewhat on the level at which one can introspect and how one can view oneself.
If you see your inherent worth, value yourself, treat yourself kindly and are never hard on yourself, can introspect deeply and know that what others say about you that is negative is not who you really are, then you could be said to be immune to the thoughts and follies of others.
I have not clearly defined these things here, but I do have an awareness of them.
I know that I have made mistakes in life and this does not subtract any value from my pool of value. I have done some lovely things in life and this does not add to my value, because my value is whole and complete - just as I am whole and complete. I am not hard on myself, because I know what it has taken for me to learn what I now know and I know I can only do my best in life and I expect nothing less from myself, but if or when I fail at something, it doesn't affect how I feel about myself - it just reminds me that I'm still learning and I take on board the lessons and move forward with my life.
I love to learn. I love making mistakes. I feel that if I'm not making mistakes, I'm not learning. However, there are ways of making it easier on myself, such as by learning from the mistakes of others... and this does not involve any snideness whatsoever. I know that just as when I make mistakes I am learning, others likewise learn too. Furthermore, they can learn from MY mistakes, which is wonderful. It goes full circle.
All of us have value. All of us have equal value, despite rank, race, gender, ability, honours, education level, social pecking order, things, abstract concepts that encapsulate us, the thoughts of ourselves about ourselves, the thoughts about us from others, the lack of thought of others (and at times even ourselves). Nobody is more valuable because they are smarter or faster or leaner or wiser or nastier or kinder. We all have the highest possible inherent value. Even if or when we have made mistakes. Perhaps even, especially in these times. I'm not saying the value goes up or down. It occupies all space and time - and goes beyond both. For each of us. If you want to imagine it as some number, figure or numeric or abstract concept. The only way to describe the value of each and every individual and every being in existence is that the value is complete and full.
You could round it down or up to the value of one. What I mean by this is we are all one. All things come up to the value of one. Even in other dimensions.
These are just my thoughts on it... I'm not saying this is the status quo or the official information on the topic. These are merely my thoughts.
As one who does not ascribe to labels, nor do I allow them to stick, I prefer to think of things in terms of oneness. Wholeness. Fullness.
I hope you have a great day and an awesome life! Feel free to drop a comment or your thoughts, ideas etc. about this concept in the comment section below. It would really make my day to hear from you. Thanks in advance. Thank you also for reading this far.
:D
