Believe in yourself

Do not wish to be anything but what you are. Saint Francis de Sales

Many a time we look around and pine for what we have not. These are not limited to just material possessions but include wishfully thinking about a change in our own personality too. Strange as it may sound many a time we cannot avoid feeling sorry for ourselves simply because we tend to compare ourselves our possessions and our fate with others who in our opinion are more blessed than us. The fallacy is that we take just a one-dimensional view which is not a correct reflection of the reality. More importantly in the process of comparison we tend to undervalue many blessing that we have but which unfortunately we take for granted.

Most of us for example are blessed to have strong family ties, a good upbringing and possibly did not face the extreme financial hardships that the vast majority of our brethren face. We must have been privileged to get a good education and possibly even blessed with the good fortune of going to a good school and having a lot of wonderful friends. In our craze for emulating our idols who look more successful, handsome/ beautiful, rich and famous we pine for some of their magic to rub off on us. What we perhaps don’t really pay attention to might be the difficulties, the struggle the hard work and the risks taken by those who seem to be successful.

If one takes an objective look at our own life, it will dawn on us that we are really fortunate and privileged. Love is perhaps the one emotion that we have in abundance; from parents, siblings, extended family, friends and our large circle of friends. The reality that we are also accepted as we are, despite our many faults, by almost every one we come in contact with is a blessing that we need to count every day. Good health, a wide circle of friends, our inherent strengths of intelligence, initiative, ability to effectively communicate etc. are just a few of the many gifts that we have and yet we don’t seem to be consciously aware of it.

It is true that if we take each parameter and compare it we would find someone else more blessed but if we really look at it objectively no one is blessed with all that we carve for either. It is also possible that many people whom we are envious of are actually deeply emotionally troubled and despondent. Success often also brings a strange loneliness in many successful people’s lives simply because ‘it is lonely at the top’. Success can also cloud peoples judgment, inflate their ego and tempt them into indulging in vices. How much more fortunate are we to be surrounded by love, not pressured to constantly succeed and envied by so many others. What we just need to do is enjoy every moment and be grateful for being what we are- just ME.

Remember: To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.”

Try this:

Take a look at the following video that has inspirational quotes on self esteem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lTTZQwQgAE
Here is another video link urging you to believe in yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yki3sBIlScc&feature=related
Make a list of things that you believe limit you from realizing your potential. Now examine each one and chalk out an action plan to overcome your limitations. Experience the joy of confidence seeping back into you when you grapple with and overcome some of these limitations.