It's hard to believe that these two lists made such a difference to me, set me on a path of inner growth that no one knew about and no one saw coming.  I read them and knew right away a few of the things I could do to work towards self-respect and inner power. I hope they help you. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Always.

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TYPICAL SOURCES OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

___Low parental esteem

___Belittling by parents, teachers and peers

___Lack of appreciation expressed by parents, teachers and peers

___Comparisons of children and their characteristics and talents by parents

___Lack of motivation to be independent

___False concepts given to the individual by parents, teachers and peers

___Demanding parents

___Parents that push children to fill needs that the parents never achieved

___Rivalry with an exceptionally talented brother and sister

___An unflattering physical appearance

___Adverse family, economic, social, cultural and ethnic conditions

___Raising children on the basis of reward and punishment

___Over-possessiveness, over-permissiveness and overcontrol

___A  sense of guilt over affluence

___A high value being placed on material possessions

___Repeated defeats and failures

___Procrastination

___Lack of purpose in life

___Depending on others for a sense of worth

___Doing what comes easiest and never accepting challenges

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A SELF-ACCEPTING PERSON HAS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS

___Actively participating in life

___Is objective and spontaneous

___Is emotionally and intellectually honest

___Understands problems that arise in life, and accepts his or her limitations in      solving them

___Accepts the pleasure and discomforts that come with self-revelation

___Takes a reasonable view of life

___Is able to accept the limits of his or her talents and abilities, and to share in other's talents

___Doesn't brood about missed opportunities, lost causes, errors and failures, but looks instead for the knowledge and experience they contribute to life

___Does not have irrational emotions

___Is able to endure solitude on a limited basis

___Can handle unconventiality at times, but not simply for the sake of rebellion

___Is not rigid with rules

___Grants others their right to opinions and values

___Accepts, nourishes, trusts, respects and loves self

___Has a genuine interest, caring concern and respect for self

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I think it is so cool to know that people can yell at me, betray me, call me names, tell others bad things about me, neglect me, on and on. I don't have to react back. I can talk to my inner power. They can NEVER EVER touch my inner power and brain. NEVER. That is mine. A person can cut off my arms and legs even but I still have my inner power and the knowledge I have put in my brain. WOW! There's power in that. And the good news is, that once I have that, it's all I need. Everything else that's good, including people and promotions, come to me. 

\"Copied from Wendy's MIND OVER MATTER newsletter and speech How To Get Rid Of What's Holding You Back.

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