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We use the
expression self-esteem, but what do we mean by it? Some people think that
self-esteem means confidence - and of course confidence comes into it - but
it's rather more than that.
The fact is that
there many apparently confident people who can do marvelous
things but who have poor self-esteem. Many people in the public eye fall
into this category. Actors, comedians and singers in particular can seem
to glow with assurance on stage, and yet off-stage many of them feel
desperately insecure. Indeed, such individuals can be stunningly attractive, world-famous, and
always seem poised and perfect to the public eye - yet deep down, these same
people find it difficult to value themselves.
If self-esteem
isn't quite the same thing as confidence, what is it then?
The word
esteem comes from a Latin word which means 'to estimate'. So, self-esteem
is how you estimate yourself.
To do that you
need to ask yourself certain questions:
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Do I like
myself?
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Do I think I'm a good human being?
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Am I someone deserving of love?
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Do I deserve happiness?
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Do I really
feel - both in my mind and deep down - that I'm a valuable human being?
People with low self-esteem find it hard to answer yes to these questions.
Perhaps you are one of them. If so, what can you do about it?
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