Very simply, self-esteem is the foundation for relationships, personal success, and effective parenting.
We’re called to love others as we love ourselves. What does this imply? That we are to love ourselves.
Some would argue that we love ourselves too much, and this command of Scripture is to remind us to take a little focus off of ourselves. I’m not saying humans aren’t selfish. We certainly can be. Often. But selfishness and self-love are not the same thing. Deep down inside, many of us struggle with truly loving ourselves.
We feel beat up, put down, and unworthy. We beat ourselves up over mistakes in our past, or blame ourselves for the ways others have wronged us. We feel bad about ourselves, but we take it out on others.
Think about it: People put others down so they feel better about themselves. They bite and gossip and devour one another out of jealousy and envy. People who act this way are being selfish, for sure. But they’re not loving themselves.
When you love yourself, you don’t have to put others down. When you love yourself, you can cheer others on because you’re not competing for worth.
When you feel good about yourself, you’re free to love others more deeply, without criticizing or comparing. When you’re comfortable with who you are, and you know what you stand for, you can make more confident decisions and parent more effectively because you won’t constantly second-guess yourself.
When you know that you matter – that you’re important and worthy of taking up space in this world – you make better decisions about relationships. You demand to be treated with respect. You feel more confident to pursue success because you know that you are worthy of having your dreams come true.
And when you love yourself unconditionally – when you accept your shortcomings, forgive yourself for your imperfections, and give yourself permission to make (and fix) mistakes – you can teach these things to your children.
So how does simplicity transform lives? Find out here.
Author’s Google+
