Feeling Good

Self-respect and Personal Worth

        Our personal worth does not depend on our look, income, education, or any other achievement. We are worthy simply because we are human beings, and we are born to be as equal as any other person. Each of us is unique, and no one can have the same experience as you do. Here is an encouraging quote by Martin Luther King Jr.

Whenever you feel down or have doubt, remember the following principles:

    Your worth is given to you since you were born. It is the same for everyone. It never increases or decreases, regardless what you do. It does not diminish with your look, your money, or your social status. Nor does it increase because of your accumulation. You may enjoy more financial freedom or more achievements. But none of that makes you more worthy than another human being. Similarly, if you make less money or achieve less, it does not mean you are less worthy. "You are always perfect and whole as you were created."
     Dr. David Burns illustrates this point by the following dialogue: A dialogue on personal worth

     You do not become a "bad" person when you did something bad. Your behavior or your mistake does not lead to judgment of you as a human being. Our society or schools use labels to encourage good behaviors. But such labeling also leads to the misleading notion that you are "bad" whenever you did some things regretful. The truth is, everyone makes mistake. No one is inherently "bad". People committed bad behaviors when they were weak, unaware or selfish.

     By the same principle, you will not become "superior" just because you achieve more. This may be disappointing to people who condition their personal worth on their achievement, but it is a perfect antidote to the unavoidable depression these people will encounter when they do not perform well.

     Will you be less motivated if you accept this principle? Not at all. When you are at peace with your personal worth, you are more loving, more joyful and more giving. You will maintain happiness and pursue your dreams regardless of opinion of others. You will always be at peace with yourself, because you accept yourself completely.

Here are some specific steps toward self-respect suggested by Dr. Wayne Dyer.