Self-esteem is how you experience yourself in the inner core of your being.  It is what you think and feel about yourself, not what others think about you.  The outer mask you display to others may be different from your inner self.  The image of self-confidence that you project may hide self-doubts and fears that only you know about.  Others may think very highly of you but it if you do not see that yourself, you lack positive self-esteem.  It cannot be created by others' opinion of you.  Education, wealth, beauty, power and other material possessions do not create self-worth.

Some of the traits of people with positive self-esteem are:

View life as purposeful and meaningful.  Seek worthwhile, challenging, stimulating and demanding goals.  Life is more than what they can do for themselves.

Communication... open, honest and appropriate.  Clarity not confusion.  Listening to others with awareness and a willingness to understand.

Loving, supportive, respectful, nourishing relationships, not toxic, controlling, damaging or demeaning of self or others.  Accepting of self and others.

Live consciously and with awareness of what they think, feel and do.  Aware of the world around them and have a strong sense of their inner being.  All actions are meaningful.

Responsible.. take responsibility for their actions, choices and decisions.

Assertive... Self-supporting... believe in their own convictions and values.  Do not rely on others to make them feel ok, but have their own sense of worth and value.

Integrity... live with principles and values for the higher good.

[reproduced with permission from www.crescentlife.com]

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/18/2002 8:07:39 AM

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