On an examination of self
one is normally inclined to pay more attention to what one is not,
rather than to what one is. One tends to bring to mind faults,
mistakes and lapses. Good qualities, good deeds done, improvements
made tend to be left out of the reckoning. Such is the general
inclination of man. This mystery of mankind has intrigued great
thinkers throughout the ages.
Shakespeare�s Hamlet muses:
"What a piece of work is man. How noble is reason! How infinite
his faculties! In form and moving, how express and admirable! In
action, how like an angel! In apprehension, how like a God! The
beauty of the world!"
But it should be remembered
that self-esteem is a simple, humble and joyful way of expressing
gratitude to God, the Creator, for all the good things one had and
is, both internal and external. Self-esteem is a realistic
recognition of both personal abilities and limitations.
Self-esteem is not self-admiration or complacency. It is far
removed from pride, though it is hardly necessary to point out
that it involves a sense of �just� pride.
�J.
Maurus
