Self-image refers to how you see yourself at this moment. Your self-image is influenced by life experience and personal interactions that affect you. Your interactions with family members, peers, and friends can significantly affect how you view yourself. Sometimes, we forget how amazing we are as individuals. Our self-perception is essential because it affects our motivations, attitudes, and behaviors. It supplies you with all the information you need to be you. Whether you see yourself as fat or thin, smart, or stupid, attractive, or ugly, weak, or strong, good, or bad, likable, or not, it will all depend on the picture you carry of yourself inside your head.
We lived a life, but we didn’t recognize who we were. For example, if you drive a car, you have probably had this experience; you decide to go somewhere, and you are there the next thing you know. But you can hardly remember the journey, the scenery, actions, and maneuvers you performed along the way. Another way, when you woke up in the morning, you probably didn’t need to invest much time in thinking, ‘Who am I, and how do I deal with the world?’ Chances are you just got up and right on with your day. This is possible because you have many self-image pictures that constantly inform you of who you believe you are, what you imagine you should do, and how you should act or react, behave, or disobey in all the varying situations of your day. We are each the creators of our realities. Whether consciously or unconsciously, harmony or discord, who we are in ourselves is reflected in the quality of what we create in our life. Our greatest gift is our free will. We are each, at the deepest level, free to choose our thoughts and, thereby, our feelings. It is one of the words of true kindness that our response to situations and actions are choices that we can make in every moment regardless of circumstance.
See the good things in yourself that you truly desire. As we raise our awareness of ourselves, we evolve towards enlightenment and become the observer of, instead of part of our ego. One of the best ways to work on your self-image is to gain self-knowledge:
• Ask yourself, “Who am I?” Through this short exercise, you will get a better idea of who you are and what your qualities are—both good and bad—and you will learn which qualities you value most. Some people find these ideas useful but remember that different things work for different people at different times. Only one opinion truly matters, your own. That’s why only try what you feel comfortable with and not put too much pressure on yourself.
• Being of service to others helps take you out of your head. When you can help someone else, it makes you less focused on your issues. Everyone has something in their life that they can be proud of, the easier it is for them to recognize their value. It is something Tangible. Do things that one can respect about yourself, raising one’s self-worth. Helping at a homeless shelter, animal shelter, etc. These are things that mean something and give value to not only oneself but someone else as well.
• Albert Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Someone may be a brilliant musician but a dreadful cook; neither quality defines their core worth. If it’s difficult for you to identify your unique gifts, ask a friend to point them out to you. Sometimes it’s easier for others to see the best in us than for us to see it in ourselves.
• We can’t change something if we don’t recognize that there is something to change. By simply becoming aware of our negative self-talk, we begin to distance ourselves from the feelings it brings up. When you find yourself going down the path of self-deprecation, gently note what is happening, be curious about it, and remind yourself, “These are thoughts, not facts.”
• I am always against those who are comparing themselves with others. Comparisons only lead to negative self-talk, which leads to anxiety and stress. Feelings of low self-worth can negatively affect your mental health and other areas in your life, such as work, relationships, and physical health. You may think everyone is better than you are, but you only see the image they represent to others. Everyone has their fears and weaknesses — after all, we’re all human. Stop comparing yourself to others because you’ll always come up short.
• Is there someone in your life you haven’t forgiven? An ex-partner? A family member? Even yourself? By holding on to feelings of bitterness or anger, we keep ourselves stuck in a cycle of negativity. After someone intensely hurts us, forgiveness is something we choose to do when we are ready to move on or when the love in our hearts speaks louder than temporary hate. So, let’s forgive those who hurt you and take a chance to make a new beginning. Mahatma Gandhi said the weak could never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the Strong. So be strong and Love Yourself!
Bình luận