Discovering Self Confidence

(Transcribed from A Time for Healing, a meditation CD by Anthony Strano available from Brahma Kumaris)

One of the things that makes life difficult is when we come into self doubt, we are not sure about ourselves, we are not sure about others, and when there’s too much doubt, initiative is paralyzed. We become very fearful of making mistakes and so one of the things most people need these days is a stable self confidence, that will enable them not only to face life but to change it and to fit into it, without conflict and without fear. When we develop self confidence we must also develop self esteem and respect. These 3 things; confidence, esteem and respect create a wellbeing in the individual because it creates a consciousness that is able to create new things. A consciousness that is able to make the impossible possible.

Self Respect
When I am stable in self respect it means I have understood my true identity. I have a right to be here simply because I exist. My spiritual identify means I have acknowledged my eternity. I have acknowledged not only my right to be here but also the right of others. I cannot grow unless I have a sense of identity, because if I don’t have a sense of identity I depend on the opinion of others to create my worth. In self respect, I am free of opinion.

Self Esteem
Self esteem is when I truly begin to value my life, and when I value my life I feel that I am able to share what I have with others. I value myself and then others will begin to value me as well. Value means I have recognized my uniqueness, each person as a particular uniqueness, which makes them special. It’s not that one is more important that the other. All have their part, all have their position and all have their role. Like a face; a face has 2 eyes, a nose and mouth and 2 ears. All are in a position, all make up the whole. Would you say that only the mouth was important and I would prefer to have 2 mouths and no ears? There’s no sense if this, all are needed and all give something to others. So let me keep myself in my own value and understand it and use it.

Self Confidence
Self confidence is when I know I contribute something to life, my talents, my capacity, simply the fact I am alive is a positive contribution. If we cannot contribute and our life does not have meaning, there's no aim. And it’s only when we contribute, when we offer that our own happiness grows, our own confidence grows. The appreciation of others enables me to believe in myself, as I respect my existence and as I realize I am here to also offer things to others. Then it becomes easier and easier to make confidence natural.

If you feel you have low self esteem, low self respect or a lack of confidence talk to us today to see how we can help.