Our Self-Esteem

We must learn to transfer our source of approval and criticism from others to ourselves. If we continue to allow others to influence our perception of ourselves and dictate how we are going to respond, then it is our own fault, not theirs. Realistically, we can never become what other people think of us unless we allow them to dictate what we think of ourselves. The only way that the thoughtless and immature words and behaviors of others can hurt us is if, through our response to these words and behaviors, we empower them to.


When we value belonging, being accepted, and being perceived as special above our own integrity and self-esteem, then we lose control, and we diminish our ability to grow and change. We also tend to distort reality. However, if we simply refuse to allow others to unrealistically influence how we perceive ourselves, regardless of what they do or say, then we give ourselves the freedom to dictate our own responses and control our own lives. We empower ourselves to grow and change.

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