A Cure for Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-brake on.
—Maxwell Maltz

For some of us, low self-esteem is like a low-grade fever, constantly dragging us down. For others, it is a full-fledged plague that robs us of any joy or gratitude for life. If your self-concept could use a boost, read these helpful and empowering words.

Take some inspiration from Maya Angelou. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, she was asked why, despite the hardships she faced, she never doubted herself. Her answer was that she came to realize that God loved her, and from that point on, she no longer had doubts. Because if God loves her, how can she doubt herself?

If you want the habit of gratitude to grace your life, it is essential that you develop the belief that you are here on Earth to fulfill some purpose that only you can offer to the world. You are an amazingly rare, totally non-replicable individual with talents and gifts that the world anxiously needs. The more that you experience the truth of your uniqueness and beauty, the more you will feel gratitude for your particular gifts, and the more you will be able to deliver those gifts.

Adapted from Giving Thanks, by MJ Ryan (Conari Press, 2007). Copyright (c) 2007 by MJ Ryan. Reprinted by permission of Conari Press.
Adapted from Giving Thanks, by MJ Ryan (Conari Press, 2007).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jennifer C.

6:47AM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

Thanks.

send a green star

Sue H.

7:27PM PST on Feb 29, 2012

Liked the last paragraph.

Susie M.

11:43PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

♥♫♪♥

===♥=====D_a_t_e____T_a_l_l___P_e_o_p_l_e___H_e_r_e===♥=====

♥♫♪♥

Robert H.

9:07PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

hmmmm? A bit simplistic.

Nimue P.

4:31PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

Cheers :)

NICKY M.

6:38PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Thanks! Please,everyone who prays... read Camilla V's comment... She is in a place where so many of us have been and with God's grace are the other side now. Please pray for her that she will find ways to help her pay her bills and get the things she needs and to bring friends to her to give her love, so that she will find out that God DOES love her and he will fill her needs in very practical ways . It is only by finding that He IS there and loves her that she will start to believe in herself and her own value as a unique person. Once you can get the concept of the fact that God loves you, ( warts and all!!!.) .. then it begins to daw on you that you must be okay as you are and you can REALLY start to love and accept yourself! I had the self-esteem of a comatose gerbil, before I realised the truth of this concept!!!

ii q.

6:33PM PST on Dec 17, 2011

thanks for the pick-me-up!

NO ANY FW to me R.

1:15AM PST on Dec 1, 2011

God loves you!
"You are an amazingly rare, totally non-replicable individual with talents and gifts that the world anxiously needs."

It's true ...for me:)) Thank you for reminding me.

Naomi M.

12:37PM PST on Nov 15, 2011

Thanks. Easier said than done, though.

Faith B.

8:39PM PDT on Sep 24, 2011

great article, thanks for the info! :)