Why Increasing Your Self-Worth Is Vital to Inner Growth   (How Self-Love Leads to Shared Love)  

His face contorted with confusion. “What’s that?” he asked.

In her article, “The Self-Hatred Within Us,” Salzberg reports that the Dalai Lama simply didn’t understand how those of us in the Western world, unlike individuals living in his native country of Tibet, are haunted by feelings of negativity and inadequacy.

According to recent studies, eighty-five percent of us in the United States suffer from low self-esteem, a deeply ingrained negative view of ourselves.

This perception of inadequacy contradicts the teachings of Scripture, which emphasize the crucial importance of loving God, others, and ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).

As my teachers consistently stress, we cannot give away love we do not have. In the words of my mentors, “Self-love paves the way for shared love.”

Self-Reflection.

Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Reflect on your achievements and learn wisdom from your mistakes.

Set Realistic Goals.

Establish achievable goals that align with your values. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

Self-Compassion.

Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding you would offer a friend facing challenges.

Positive Affirmations.

Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Focus on your abilities and acknowledge your efforts.

Surround Yourself with Positive People.

Walk away from the naysayers in your life. Instead, befriend supportive and positive individuals. Build relationships that uplift and encourage you.

Learn and Grow.

Embrace opportunities for learning and personal growth. Continuous improvement can boost your confidence and self-worth.

Meditation and Acceptance.

Practice meditation each day to stay present to the Creator and your inner self so you can accept yourself without judgment. Acceptance is a key part of building self-worth.

Healthy Lifestyle.

Develop a holistic lifestyle. Take care of your mind, body, and Spirit. Exercise, proper nutrition, and enough rest contribute to a positive self-image. Inspiring books and spiritual reflections feed the mind and spirit with the vital food you need to care for your soul.

With the Creator’s guidance and our inner work, we can achieve a balanced view of self-esteem that involves maintaining a healthy and realistic perception of ourselves without veering into extremes of either excessive self-importance or debilitating self-doubt.

When we know ourselves as God knows us, we’re able to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, accept our own and others’ imperfections, and have a realistic understanding of who we are and who we are not.

As author Parker Palmer says, “Self-care [and self-love] is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.”

Increasing your self-worth is hard work but well worth the effort. It’s an important part of inner growth.

And self-love leads to shared love. 

—brian j plachta
brianplachta.com

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