How we respond to people, challenges, and the changes in life is determined by our deepest sense of who we are, what we are capable of, and what we think we deserve. This response is known as self-esteem and is composed of our beliefs, emotions, appearance, and behaviors. Self-esteem and spirituality go hand in hand. Self-esteem gives us the power to walk into the unknown, face uncomfortable truths and see our deepest selves without judgement. It also provides us with the confidence to put our trust in a supreme being and know that we will be okay. Nathaniel Branden, a thinker, author, and teacher of self-esteem says that the essence of self- esteem is the experience that we are competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and that we are worthy of happiness, success, achievement, friendship, love, respect, and personal fulfillment.
Why is self-esteem so important?
Self-esteem is what allows us to walk in the world freely and unapologetically. It draws us closer to a higher power, helping to reveal more about ourselves. Self-esteem allows us to seek the eternal truth from within.
Why is healthy self-esteem so hard to achieve?
It’s so easy to feel like you’re less than worthy in a world that determines your value based on income or social-media likes. We’re all guilty of seeking validation from outside sources. But once we understand that our true worth lies in our spiritual grounding, a healthy self-esteem becomes much more possible.
How does a lack of self-esteem affect my spiritual life?
Lack of self-esteem can significantly affect how we show up spiritually, filling our minds and hearts with insecurities. Low self-esteem reveals itself through guilt, anger, unrealistic expectations of perfection, and a false sense of humility. This can lead us to suffer in silence and move through life with hostility. Low self-esteem can also limit our perspective of a divine higher power and their abilities. It can keep us from having faith in almost anything and make us rely less on our spiritual senses and more on our fears. As we continue on our spiritual journey, it can undermine and discredit the spiritual work we have already done. Finally, a lack of self-confidence hinders our ability to engage openly with ourselves, others, and the universe, which can lead to isolation and loneliness.
What we can do to increase our self-esteem.
As individuals, our approach to building self-esteem will necessarily vary. For most people, this includes taking care of yourself, acknowledging your accomplishments, pursuing your passions, and being kind to others. According to the Dalai Lama, increasing self-esteem is simple. He says that “Love brings self-confidence,” and that self-confidence comes from warm-heartedness—if we live our lives with a genuine concern for the well-being of others, we, in turn, can feel more confident and happy.You are worthy of good things. You are worthy of happiness, and you are capable of attracting happiness. The cure for low self-esteem starts with recognizing that your true worth comes from within. With that realization, you have created a foundation for joy, wellness, and positive interactions with the world. Your investment in your deepest self is an investment in your most confident self.
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