Being unique is one of the most important human characteristics. We are all unique human beings with unique histories, patterns of thinking and behaving. However, we have acquired deep habits of comparison early in our life. We are taught to compare ourselves with others, to imitate their style. This imitation always ends in painful failure and lowering of the sense of self.
Comparison and imitation are the greatest destroyer of self-esteem. It prevents us from being ourselves, and it keeps us at a very superficial level of existence. So the first key to the door of self-esteem is to break the habit of comparison and imitation. Remind yourself that you are unique. It is through acknowledging and accept our weaknesses, faults and imperfections, because it is only when we accept ourselves the way we are, that we’re able to begin the process of true self-transformation. Always remember, we are all already beautiful and perfect. This is a paradox. Because this beauty is a hidden treasure lying deep within the self which we find difficult to access. Why? Because we have not been taught to go deep inside ourselves to see it, feel it and express it. We are so preoccupied with outer beauty to even begin to focus on inner beauty. We fall for the messages of the marketing gurus directing us to believing that beauty can be bought, surgically added or painted on. Hence, the rebuilding of self-esteem is a deep inner process of self knowledge and self awareness, for which we need to spend some time every day in stillness, in silence, and see and experience our inner qualities to experience the change from within.
Editor’s note: Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj ji is a writer at www.brahmakumaris.com and can be reached at nikunjji@brahmakumaris.in.
