Building a healthy self-esteem

WE should be concerned also about this matter. We cannot

and should not take this for granted. Many are now the problems

arising from this area of concern, and they are getting worse by the

day. We need to act!

            I notice that even among young people today, the lack of a

healthy self-esteem is growing. Many of them are already experiencing

depression and extreme forms of discouragement. Some of them have gone

to the extent of inflicting self-harm and becoming suicidal even.

Others react the other way by becoming wild and violent.

  

            Still many others get imprisoned in their own shells due

to forms of shyness, fear, shame, and a very low regard of their own

selves. It is really a pity because if we get to know them better, we

also get convinced that they actually possess good potentials for

greatness. Something is keeping them enchained. We need to free them.

  

            It’s good that young people are really attended to very

closely. We need to get to know them and nourish their spiritual,

mental and emotional life properly. Everyone, of course, has his own

share of defects and weaknesses. But these are no reasons at all to

lose confidence in oneself. If anything at all, these can be used as

an occasion to build a healthy self-esteem.

  

            A healthy self-esteem is not simply a function of good

things in life. It’s not just a matter of having the good fortune of

being rich, talented, intelligent, famous, etc. It’s not even a matter

of temperament. A self-esteem based on these foundations is deceptive,

will not last long and cannot cope with all the challenges of life.

              A healthy self-esteem is simply a matter of being

invincibly aware that no matter what human condition we may be in, we

are all children of God, object of his unfailing love, for whom God

became man to save us by dying on the cross.

             This is the very core of a healthy self-esteem. We need to

embed this truth deeply in the mind and heart of the people,

especially the young ones. This may not be very easy to do, since for

many reason, people can resist this truth. But if we are persistent,

patient and inventive, I am sure we can make it.

  

            The important thing to do is to really reach out to

everyone, get to know them well, accompanying them spiritually,

intellectually and emotionally. We need to reassure them always,

motivating them to do what they are supposed to do, helping them to

cope with their difficulties, defects and mistakes.

             We have to reassure them of the effectiveness of all the

basic and indispensable spiritual and supernatural means, as well as

help them acquire the appropriate attitudes, skills, virtues that go

into the making of a healthy self-esteem.

  

            Once they get it, they will exude a stable self-confidence

that would enable them do their responsibilities whatever the

conditions may be. There will be poise, optimism and realism, joy and

peace, fruitfulness and productivity in their lives.

             Ultimately, they will manage to relate themselves properly

to God and to others, always thankful for everything! We have to

devise strategies to build a healthy self-esteem in everyone, starting

with those by our side.