(3) self-respect, and
(4) pride
Self-esteem has a feeling level to it. We can feel in any given moment whether our self-esteem is low, medium, or high.
Breathe
Let's pause for a moment. Where is your self-esteem right now? Low? Medium? Or high? Just notice where it is.
How do we feel about ourselves?
How do we feel about ourselves? Well ... it depends. Oftentimes we find that our self-esteem fluctuates -- depending on circumstances in our lives. Depending on our mood, how our relationships are, the weather, how we did on a test, work, on any number of things in our lives.
Breathe
Well ... this is an example of an external focus. Fluctuating self-esteem levels relating to the circumstances in our lives shows us an external focus. There isn't anything wrong with having an external focus. However, shifting to an internal focus is actually much more practical. It is not difficult for us to shift from an external focus to an internal focus
Why is shifting to an internal focus more practical? For one thing, it is empowering. For another, it is the most effective way for us to "have a life." For yet another, it feels better -- more peaceful, more calming, more tranquil.
Breathe
Because it is empowering? Yes. Now is a good time to slide into a conversation about empowerment. Empowerment has the word "power" in it. Power is a loaded word in today's world.
Power. There are two types of power. There is power over and there is power with. It appears that we are all very familiar with power over. Most of the examples of power in the world exemplify power over. This is where many of the world's problems stem from.
Breathe
Power with, on the other hand, is where solutions lie. Power with is where empowerment comes in. You see, true power is an inside job. True power is within each of us. It is a constant, a given. It never changes. Thus, we are each very powerful within ourselves.
Yes, we are each very powerful within ourselves. Always. Our perception of this may change, but our internal power itself is always there. It is always available for us to tap into at any given moment.
When we are internally focused -- when we allow ourselves to be in this space deep within ourselves -- we are tapping into our internal power. We feel empowered. We feel calmer and stronger. Our lives flow more smoothly. We experience increasing sanity. That is practical and that is LIGHT.
Breathe)
So ... how do we raise our self-esteem?
Let's try it again. Let's notice where our self-esteem level is. Is it low, medium, or high? Notice it. The next step is: Do we want to raise it? If so, feel welcome to use the exercise that follows.
Raising Self-Esteem Exercise
1. State the intention.
For example: "My intention is to raise my [level of ] self-esteem."
2. Breathe.
a) Inhale deeply.
b) Exhale slowly.
3. Relax.
It is possible to have consistently high self-esteem. It is possible for us to feel a high regard for ourselves ( within us ) regardless of what is going on outside of us on a regular basis. It is also within our everyday ability. We can simply notice throughout the day, for instance, the level of our self-esteem and then proceed to do an exercise to increase it. With practice, the level will remain consistently high with little or no effort from us. Having consistently high self-esteem will do wonders for ourselves, for others in our lives, and for our lives. [ This is another LIGHT key. ]
LIGHT = HIGH SELF-ESTEEM
LIGHT = SELF-LOVE
LIGHT = LOVING OURSELVES
LIGHT = HIGH KI => POSITIVE ENERGY CYCLE
LIGHT = LOVING OURSELVES <==> LOVING EARTH
It is all interconnected.
©1997-2006 Nan Cohen and The Living Light Center. All rights reserved.
