What is Self-Esteem? by Joseph McClendon III
Self-esteem creates the feeling of confidence. Napoleon Hill once said that great self-esteem comes from simply taking the successes of the past, focusing on them, and projecting them into the future. When we do this, we use those references as the foundation of whom we are and what we think we are capable of. It is this focus that makes us feel better about ourselves and the actions that we will take.
Imagine you were in charge of a newborn baby boy. It was your duty to make sure that his little soul got all of the nourishment, love, education and physical attention that he needed to grow up happy, healthy and successful. Imagine that for your efforts you also would receive health, happiness, love and riches beyond your wildest dreams.
Very young children at play are the most confident beings and have an abundance of self-esteem.
You wouldn’t go to the child and say, “OK kid, unless you do everything right, and be cute and smart and witty, and everybody likes you all of the time, then you’re not going to get anything from me.” Instead you, like most of us, would probably just do it. We would make sure that the baby had all that he needed whenever he needed it. Most of us would probably do it just out of caring alone, regardless of the rewards.
At feeding time, would you feed the baby with no strings attached? Of course you would. You wouldn’t say, “OK kid, unless you do something clever, or sit up, or recite your ABCs, or perform flawlessly, you won’t get your food.” You’d feed the baby because he deserves to be fed, and loved and cared for. He or she deserves it because they are a human being and a part of this universe. When the child tried to walk or talk and failed at first, you would praise him for the effort given, thus teaching that child’s nervous system to keep trying.
You deserve exactly the same treatment and consideration from yourself. You deserved it when you were born and you deserve it now. You are that child and you respond the same way. Too many people get the idea that unless they are clever, attractive, witty, or as highly paid or attractive as other people, that they know they are un-deserving of love and respect. They somehow believe that unless they get it right all of the time, then they are not deserving of praise or acknowledgment.
Self-esteem is NOT pervasive. It does not have to mean anything about your whole life. It’s just a feeling about a particular occurrence that happened in the past, attaching it to now and projecting it into the future. The feeling that is produced by doing that is a feeling of negative or positive esteem.
A life often self appreciated is a life well lived.
The Promise of Spring by Jim Rohn
Fortunately, following the turbulence of winter comes the season of activity and opportunity called springtime. It is the season for entering the fertile fields of life with seed, knowledge, commitment, and a determined effort.
However, the mere arrival of spring is no sign that things are going to look good in the fall. You must do something with the spring. In fact, everyone has to get good at one of two things: planting in the spring or begging in the fall. Take advantage of the day and the opportunities that spring can bring.
It is the promise of spring that as we sow, so shall we also reap. Faith further provides to us an irrevocable law decreed in heaven which assures that for every disciplined human effort we will receive a multiple reward. For each cup planted, a bushel reaped, for every good idea given to another, many shall be given to us in return. For every demonstrated act of faith, a multiplicity of the rewards, and for every act of love given, a life of love in return.
Just remember it is a natural characteristic of springtime to present itself ever so briefly, or to lull us into inactivity with its bounteous beauty. Do not pause too long to soak in the aroma of the blossoming flowers, lest you awaken to find springtime gone with your seed still in your sack. With the intelligence, wisdom, and freedom of choice given to us as humans, exercise the discipline to plant in spite of the rocks, weeds, or other obstacles before us. The rocks, weeds, and thorns of the world cannot destroy all your seeds if you plant massively enough and intelligently enough. My suggestion is to choose action, not rest. Choose truth, not fantasy. Choose a smile, not a frown. Choose love, not animosity. Choose the good in life in all things, and choose the opportunity as well as the chance to work when springtime smiles on your life. Spring shows us that life is truly a constant beginning, a constant opportunity, a constant springtime. We need only to learn to look once again at life as we did as children, letting fascination and curiosity give us welcome cause to look for the miraculous hidden among the common.
Get busy quickly on your springs, your opportunities. There are just a handful of springs that have been handed to each of us. Life is brief, even at its longest. Whatever you are going to do with your life, get at it. Don't just let the seasons pass by.