Posted by Cam W. on April 24, 2000, at 11:56:38
In reply to Re: what is Self Esteem?, posted by Scott L. Schofield on April 24, 2000, at 9:25:12
Scott - I feel the same way as you. I do not think that any of us really 'fit in'. We all have a picture of the outside world in our head, but, like science, it is only an approximation of what really "is". Things like truth, beauty, and intelligence are so subjective, as well as transient.We are limited as to what we can understand by our 5 senses, but our approximations (ie science) does give us a good idea of what is and what can be.
I do believe in fate (sort of). I think that every action or thought that we have is a result of our past experiences (starting at conception). Therefore anything we do, say or think is restricted by these experiences. I think our self esteem also arises from these experiences.
I really think that self-actualization is unobtainable and that we really could not (or want to) live at such a level.
I believe that you have to live by a motto; your own or probably someone else's. You try to stick to this motto as best you can and not beat yourself up when you do deviate from it (something that I still have to learn).
My motto comes from a line in a song called 'Uncle John's Band" by the Grateful Dead:
...all, I want to know is, "Are you kind?"
Where "kind" has 2 meanings: Are you nice and helpful to other people and are you like everyone else. The first has to be worked on and the second just is.
I am sorry to hear that you are hurting right now and wish I could help in some way, but remember that there are always better days ahead. Down times never really last forever. This is easy to say, but hard to realize sometimes.
I, and I am sure many others on this board, have benefited greatly from your knowledge and advise. You have taught me almost more in the last few months than I have learned in the last 16 years of practice.
Thinking of you (sorry to ramble) - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:30698
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000420/msgs/31152.html