I want some comments on a speech I've just written and planning to do the next time I get a chance to speak.
Its about Self Esteem, although this is only a small part of the many things I believe about existence, its a piece of the puzzle I only recently figured out after reading Ayn Rand. At a lot of points I disagree with Rand and on others I agree. She has a lot of truth to her message and I tried to capture a small part of this in a speech.
The cloud, don't come in with spiritual matters. I know what you are talking about, its not the purpose of this speech.
I'd like to keep this strictly on what I can improve on this speech.
Self Esteem
First I’d like to say that you will most likely disagree with a lot that I’ll be talking about right now. That’s ok, I’m not asking you to agree only to consider my points and make a decision based on your own consciousness and reasoning.
In our current society a lot of people lack self esteem, they cover it up with false persona’s and false reasoning. You can see it around when you walk on the street, a sure sign of low self esteem is a face that looks the life has drained away from it. A sure sign of low self esteem is a person who lives in ever lasting misery while telling everyone around them there life is great.
It’s a plague right now and the cure is simple yet difficult to follow. Personally I’ve had many instances where I break my own rules and in turn suffer.
But first what is Self Esteem? Self Esteem as defined by the dictionary is;
Pride in oneself or Self-respect
The simple solution to increase self esteem is to rely on no other judgement than your own. To allow nobody to determine the path you wish to walk. That is where Self Esteem arises from.
The hint is hidden in the dictionary, Pride in oneself. This pride can only ever come if you are the sole person with all the responsibility. In this day and age society takes up responsibility. People must be saved from themselves whenever possible, they can’t take care of themselves this seems to imply.
Responsibility is considered a burden, something to bear and painfull. It’s a place where stress arises from. The image that comes to mind is atlas carrying the world on his shoulders, being responsible for everyone. The only time responsibility is a burden is when you are taking responsibility for other people's lifes. When you take responsibility solely for your own life it becomes a source of joy, joy of knowing that YOU are in control of your life. Not society, not your parents, not your peers. YOU are the only one responsible for YOUR life. And from that pride and joy arises because you KNOW that all your achievements are yours alone.
If you wish to be able to respect yourself then you must live by your own code of value’s. You must obey your own Code that you aquired through reasoning. You are not a slave to what others tell you, you are a free person, free to chose whatever you wish.
And from this self respect and pride will come, self esteem wil return and your life will take on a new direction.
Low self esteem arises when you compromise your own value’s to please other people. The result in most cases is that both suffer, there self esteem is lowered because you assumed responsibility over there life and your self esteem is lowered because you did not follow the things you value.
Lets assume the responsibility to cure our low self esteem, lets start healing ourselves right now. Lets stop giving away responsibility like it’s a burden, lets accept it fully and enjoy its presence. This is your birthright, nobody can take it away from you unless you allow them to.
At this time and age where we are constantly bombarded with advertising designed to unconsciously take away the responsibility of chosing how to spend your money. In this time and age where society as a whole is more then willing to assume responsibility.
This ability to take responsibility for yourself is more important then ever before.
Lets be the ones who assume responsibility and walk with a head held up high. Lets be the ones with a impeccable self esteem. Proud of our abilities. Proud of our minds. Proud of living on this beautifull planet.