Raising Your Self-Esteem
By Don Searles

Self-esteem is the value we place on ourselves. It is our assessment of our worth as a human being, based on our approval of ourselves and our behavior.  In terms of importance, self-esteem is our center – the basis upon which we build our lives.  The way we feel about ourselves affects how we relate to the people around us and to every other aspect of our lives. 

Everyone has self-esteem, only a few people have high self-esteem.  Our self-esteem is mostly developed during childhood and early teens.  Low self-esteem comes from believing the negative things that our parents, siblings, schoolmates, teachers, spouses and others have said about us.  As well as being unjustly punished or by being physically of sexual abused.  You can raise your self-esteem when you understand the beliefs you have that you are no good, a failure, or worthless are false and irrational.  Good self-esteem is needed to forgive yourself and others.  To raise your self-esteem will require dedication, effort and resources to help and guide you along the way.