Is it good for our self esteem to be reminded that we are ashes and ashes we will become?
82700
I think that anyone whose self-esteem is damaged by such a statement probably needs an ego adjustment anyway.\n\nI think it's good for all of us to realize that we are a tiny part of an enormously huge existence.  It doesn't mean that such a tiny part can't still make a big noise.
256778
definitely yes, if you do, you are the greatest person ever, we are only human, it just happen that we are not born equal.. we have our own mistakes....
45213
This can be tough, but has a simple solution that is difficult for some to acomplish.  First, you have to force yourself to look at yourself OBJECTIVELY.  No internal reflection at all.  Try to see you for what and who you are....not what you think.\n\nI like the answer regarding responsibility, but it only answered one facet of self esteem.  The next thing you need to do is understand self esteem and what it is.  Self esteem is how you feel about you.  The fact that you are asking this question tells me that you care about yourself enough to try to improve.  That is abmirable and worthy of esteem.\n\nNext, try to identify what may be damaging your self esteem.  Is it really flaws in you, or just people you are surrounded by inventing them?  My experience is it is usually the latter.  Try to spend more time with people that make you feel good and less with the ones that don't.\n\nRemeber, the fact that you care enough to develop and improve, makes you worthy of esteem and respect.\n\nBe Well and I wish you the best.
53931
I am full of gratitude for my life.  I have more than I deserve.  When I imagine the true sorrow and deprivation that so many souls face on this earth I am filled with shame for even the thought of being ungrateful.  If however you mean by your question am I pleased with myself and satisfied that I am all that I should be?  The answer is NO!  I have much to aspire for.  Life is a journey.  I hope I continue to see the wonder of each step until the end.  Is my life perfect?  Hardly!  Does it offer challenges?  Yes, thank God.  Would I change some things if I could?  Sure.  But, I choose to work on those things that I can change, rather than waste my life worrying about the things I have no power over.
571136
I need to stop and count my blessings sometimes. Society in general, is a little too preoccupied with the negative;ever watch the news? I also need to remind myself that my happiness is not based on what happens to me, but rather how I ACCEPT what happens to me.
167581
Only if it is affecting your health. If you are so large you have back troubles, yes, it may be the way to go, but if you are trying to improve your self image chances are you will only start to find other things you dislike about yourself. It's better to love yourself the way you are than to try to adjust yourself to what the world thinks you should be.
75204
I guess the real question is, "Who am I?" If you have confidence in yourself, it doesn't matter what other people think about you. If you are happy being you, then you've got it made. But if you feel like your life is worthless, find out what you think will make you feel useful and then go and do it. For example, I feel useful when I help others in their lives from my personal experiences. If you feel no one understands you, it's either because you don't understand where other people are coming from or sometimes that's a form of self-pity... and it doesn't mean you're a bad person, it just means that you don't have confidence in yourself. Be proud and happy to be the person you are, because there is someone out there who will understand you. I promise. I have no idea if that helps... but hopefully it helps a little...
873874
Yes, you not only have a self-esteem problem, but a spiritual one also!  Just so you know.....you were made a little lower than the Angels...not one of God's animals...which would not be saying too much for God!\n\nLook in the mirror AGAIN and repeat this 3 x's!\n  \nMirror, mirror on the wall,\nWho's the fairest of them all;\nwhy, it must be me, 'cause I'm the only\none in the mirror I see!!\n\nThis is not vain or selfish, just a self-esteem BOOSTER!\n\nGod Bless You!
280413
Yes.  It is a wonderful and beautiful part of who I am that brings me personal fufillment.  I wouldn't change it for the world. :-)
112304
I always had been my own harshest critic.  I thought that by excelling I could be accepted because I saw myself as being unacceptable.  But by choosing unattainable goals, I kept proving to myself that I wasn't good enough because once again, I failed.  Allow yourself to make mistakes, you may have had a childhood as I did in which no one told me it was okay to not be the best...that I was good enough the way I am. You are equal.  When You allow yourself to be equal as a human being, your true potential has an opportunity to express itself because you are no longer in competition with others or yourself, it is no longer neccessary to prove to others that you are better or to prove to yourself that you are a failure.  Be kind to yourself.
218309
Hello! Can understand what you mean. Have not got too much self-esteem neither... but I have come to accept that it is not okay for me to feel that way somehow. I want to change it. Think one really needs to decide deep within to change it. There are many beautiful suggestions here. A counsellour I saw some time ago told me that I should say out loud "I am a wrothwhile person and I deserve to be happy." ... and it worked. Just that I became kind of lazy :o) . What might help you as well is the link below. It might seem childish but it really does help. Enjoy it and good luck to feeling better toward yourself :-) !
818790
I believe so.  I've had some dark times, like everyone, but I try to think of others' needs instead of just my own.  I give everyone the same chances and try not to hurt anyone with my actions.\n\nAnd since it all comes from within me instead of having a thin "coating" of goodness applied weekly, I think it's more a part of who I am instead of who I'm trying to become.
47473
only if i was horribly burned or something. i do think appearance helps make you who you are, but you should be happy with your natural one.
1012946
Each of us are judged on what we did with the time, health and wealth that God blessed us with. If we had a hand in harming our environment, we will be judged accordingly, and if we did our best to help our environment, we will be judged accordingly. No one will have to worry about being held accountable for another's sins, and no one but you can account for your own self.
765138
self esteem is how positive you feel about yourself.  if u are happy with the way you engage in social settings, your confidence level is good, your are generally content with yourself, your self esteem is normal.  if you have low self esteem, your generally are not content with the way you behave, how u see yourself, and generally not happy on how you think u present yourself to others, then u have low self esteem.  u develop self esteem through life experiences, and self evaluation,  sometimes self esteem can take a while in ones life.  if you think about yourself, and find things u do not like, then u can work on these to increase your self esteem.  u do have to set realistic goals for yourself and know what u can do and can"t do.  you have to be content with your self and realize that everybody has limitations and you have to accept that.  for example a brilliant doctor may be good in his field, but realizes and accepts the fact that he may not be able to fix a toilet.
1138078
Look in the mirror each day (even if you don't believe it at first)  and say, "I am a good person and today will be a good day." I guarantee your attitude will turn around...Take care.....
584666
People with poor self-esteem often rely on how they are doing in the present to determine how they feel about themselves. They need positive external experiences to counteract the negative feelings and thoughts that constantly plague them. Even then, the good feeling (from a good grade, etc.) can be temporary.\n\nHealthy self-esteem is based on our ability to assess ourselves accurately (know ourselves) and still be able to accept and to value ourselves unconditionally. This means being able to realistically acknowledge our strengths and limitations (which is part of being human) and at the same time accepting ourselves as worthy and worthwhile without conditions or reservations.\nOur self-esteem develops and evolves throughout our lives as we build an image of ourselves through our experiences with different people and activities. Experiences during our childhood play a particularly large role in the shaping of our basic self-esteem. When we were growing up, our successes (and failures) and how we were treated by the members of our immediate family, by our teachers, coaches, religious authorities, and by our peers, all contributed to the creation of our basic self-esteem.\nSelf-esteem is largely developed during childhood.\n\nHealthy Self-Esteem\nChildhood experiences that lead to healthy self-esteem include-\n\nbeing praised \n\n\nbeing listened to \n\n\nbeing spoken to respectfully \n\n\ngetting attention and hugs \n\n\nexperiencing success in sports or school \n\n\nhaving trustworthy friends \n\n\n Low Self-Esteem\nChildhood experiences that lead to low self-esteem include-\n\nbeing harshly criticized \n\n\nbeing yelled at, or beaten \n\n\nbeing ignored, ridiculed or teased \n\n\nbeing expected to be "perfect" all the time \n\n\nexperiencing failures in sports or school \nPeople with low self-esteem were often given messages that failed experiences (losing a game, getting a poor grade, etc.) were failures of their whole self.\n \nWhat Does Your "Inner Voice" Say?\nOur past experiences, even the things we don't usually think about, are all alive and active in our daily life in the form of an Inner Voice. Although most people do not "hear" this voice in the same way they would a spoken one, in many ways it acts in a similar way, constantly repeating those original messages to us.\n\nFor people with healthy self-esteem the messages of the inner voice are positive and reassuring. For people with low self-esteem, the inner voice becomes a harsh inner critic, constantly criticizing, punishing, and belittling their accomplishments.\nTHREE Faces of Low Self-Esteem\nMost of us have an image of what low self-esteem looks like, but it is not always so easy to recognize. Here are three common faces that low self-esteem may wear:\n\nThe Impostor: acts happy and successful, but is really terrified of failure. Lives with the constant fear that she or he will be "found out." Needs continuous successes to maintain the mask of positive self-esteem, which may lead to problems with perfectionism, procrastination, competition, and burn-out. \n\n\nThe Rebel: acts like the opinions or good will of others - especially people who are important or powerful - don't matter. Lives with constant anger about not feeling "good enough." Continuously needs to prove that others' judgments and criticisms don't hurt, which may lead to problems like blaming others excessively, breaking rules or laws, or fighting authority. \n\n\nThe Loser: acts helpless and unable to cope with the world and waits for someone to come to the rescue. Uses self-pity or indifference as a shield against fear of taking responsibility for changing his or her life. Looks constantly to others for guidance, which can lead to such problems as lacking assertiveness skills, under-achievement, and excessive reliance on others in relationships. \nConsequences of Low Self-Esteem\nLow self-esteem can have devastating consequences