Self image is a person’s outlook. It could be bright
or gloomy, confident or unsure, trusting or suspicious. The picture we present
to the outside world is what they judge us with. There is need therefore to
build a respectable self image. We recommend the following:
1.
Have a healthy conception of yourself, neither proud nor timid, neither
domineering nor obsequious. A person’s self image is more often a product of
their imagination. You are really what you think you are. But when people
believe themselves to be what they are not, then they are only deluded. A 6
year old who says, “I am the President of my country” is deluded. But if that
child should say, “I will be the President of my country”, then that child has
an imagination that can produce a good self image if well nurtured. A good
conception of oneself is essential to building a respectable self image.
2.
Expect the best. Much has been and is still being said about
positive
thinking. We align with that school of thought. Negative thinking and
pessimistic views drain a person of the will to act. It is good to do our
homework before undertaking any project, but it is wrong to magnify the
possible risks over the possible gains, because this will drain us of any will
to take a step. Believe in what God has invested in you in being good enough to
produce the desired result. Believe in what God can do through you and with you
in achieving that desired result. You cannot be a loser with that formula.
Positive expectation enlivens the spirit and produces good result.
3.
Smile in your heart! It happens at times that we think over some funny
situations and laugh. An onlooker may wonder at what tickles us. Nothing but
good, loving thoughts. We owe ourselves a duty to brighten our lives with good
thoughts. That is what it takes to truly smile within our hearts and even laugh
outside. We present a grotesque picture of ourselves if the heart is saddened
while we manufacture a plastic smile on the face. Learn to be happy with
yourself, whatever happens. No one else would do that for you. Thank God for
your life, for your family, school, work, or anything else you do. Appreciate
who you are and what you do. Promote it. Celebrate it. Congratulate yourself.
Break free from moroseness. Rejoice and smile in your heart and let it break
forth outwardly.
4.
Learn contentment. Satisfaction is a rare virtue, but a very necessary
one. Contentment puts the brakes on rivalry with all the evil that goes with
it. Contentment is a state that produces gratitude for the present. This does
not negate the need to improve on the present, as there is always room for
improvement, but it does remove the pressure to out-do a fellow.
5.
Respect others. When two persons disagree you would probably hear one
say, “I have respected you enough.” What they actually mean is that they do not
have respect for the other person. Respect is not in words but in action. You know
when you respect a person, and you also know when people respect you. Respect
enables you treat others with courtesy and dignity. This invariably raises your
own social worth.
6.
Empower others. SAG is an acronym for Selfishness, Avarice and Greed.
These three vices can pull anybody down. If a person seeks to be seen and heard
alone while others are suppressed, they may soon fall. That can also happen
where a person seeks to grab and dominate at the expense of others. If we think
others should only queue behind us, we would fail miserably. Lift somebody,
project others and before long people would be asking who did it. You are too
small to be seen alone. Empower others and the world will see you through them.
In summary, a respectable self image is produced by
what we do or do not do with ourselves and others. It comes when we develop a
positive view of life and are happy with ourselves and others. It shows in our
helping and promoting others better than we do ourselves. A respectable self
image is important to making any meaningful progress in life. Since we all
desire progress, it is imperative we build a respectable self image. May God
grant us this grace continually.
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