Purpose of life: Self Love and What is self esteem?

What is self esteem? Self esteem is defined as “ confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect.” So what causes the lack of self esteem? What causes high self esteem? What causes a person to feel as if they are of less value or worth? What combination of actions or experiences contribute to “low or high self esteem” ? And with that, does high self esteem just come naturally?

Self esteem, high or low can be effected by a number of things. Things in your micro-system such as family, also factors in your macro-system like school or work. In the ‘Eyes on the prize’ documentary self esteem plays a huge role in the movements executed through the civil rights movements. It took Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s confidence in himself, his own worth, and his race for him to be such a strong civil rights leader. For him to have the willingness to learn, educate and manifest to the black community for change not only shows his confidence in himself but also boosts the confidence of his audience. Also in the documentary, the little rock 9’s experiences were highlighted. Personally I can't speak for them and how being brutally tormented affected their self esteem. But being constantly looked on as inhuman and worthless couldn't have had a positive outcome. In fact, Dr. Terrance Roberts who was a part of the Little Rock 9 was impacted negatively. He ended up leaving the school and finishing school in California and receiving his PHD there. Luckily for him he didn't let the negativity stop him, but he did force him out. Constantly being antagonized and bullied can lower ones self esteem immensely.

There's no better way to show how self esteem is affected than from personal experience. In my own life, for many years I've struggled with self esteem issues and trying to overcome the oppression that has been put on me. For example in my educational history project and say I spoke on how as a child I was never properly affirmed, with things like “good job” or “I love you”. So for me growing up wasn't easy. I never felt like I was good enough I never felt as if I was doing in. I could bring home an A and my mom would say “I want to see an A+ next time.” It was like I could never win, or be recognized for anything. And things like that can greatly affect your self-esteem. It lowered my confidence in myself as well as my skills and abilities. And it played out through my entire life and even still today.I find myself in a constant struggle with trying to do better and better and feeling like I won't get affirmed anyways so why even try? Without affirmation it's almost as if you have no validation. Which ultimately results in low self esteem. Well at least for myself.

It's funny how the mind works, isn't it? The mind can conjure up false realities and make them appear true. Crazy, even the thoughts in your head realistic and unrealistic can affect your self-esteem. In an Alicia Keys slam poem ‘POW’ she spoke on how she was a prisoner of words unsaid, a prisoner of her own mind, how it almost broke her down to the point of no return. How the words she kept trapped in her mind ate at her esteem for so long. Even our own minds and inner selves can tear away at our self-esteem. Holding back emotion, leaving words unsaid and leaving feelings untold all play a part in how our esteem is altered.

Self esteem is affected by a great number of things. It is important to be mindful of what you're letting into your micro and macro system. As well as being careful of what you're feeding your mind. Self-esteem is nothing to joke around with. It affects the way you live your life what you think of yourself and how you value yourself. Be mindful of the music you listen to, is it degrading women? Is it making you feel like you aren't beautiful enough? Let it go. Read a book, educate yourself. You your mind with positivity. Be careful of who you surround yourself with do your friends have a negative influence on you? Do you pick up their bad habits? Do they make you feel bad about yourself? Let them go. Find a set of friends who uplift you. Physically mentally and spiritually.you only have one life to live so live it right build yourself up, surround your life with positivity.

#video