Self Esteem

Self esteem is a powerful force within each one of us. It encompasses much more than that innate sense of self worth which presumably is our human birthright that spark that we who are psychotherapist or teachers seek to fan in those we work with. That spark is only the anteroom to self esteem. There are many definitions which I consider misleading, less powerful or less useful than the one I purpose. If self esteem loses its precise meaning and descends to the level of mere buzzword, it may be taken seriously by those we are attempting to reach the very people who need it most.

Causes and effects of low self-esteem

The factors that cause low self-esteem are as many and varied as there are people alive on Earth. So too, more than one factor or a combinations of those factors truly can cause people to think less of themselves as time passes. Within the modern society of the United States of America most, if not all, of us are taught to believe that each of us are as good as any other person. Then again, as we grow older and wiser, we discover that we really aren't as equal as our Politicians would have us believe. Some of us are smarter. Some of us are handsome or beautiful. Some of us become rich or are born into a wealthy family. Some of us get the best education that money can buy. Some of us simply inherit the family business and continue to be successful. Some of us win nearly every competition that we take part in.If you are one of those people, you should thank your lucky stars or thank God for your truly good fortune. However, the vast majority aren't so lucky or so blessed with a life or the physical appearance to become one of the shakers and movers of the World and all that it contains.

Therein are several reasons for why the millions of people who don't exactly fit the above categories think less of themselves. Guilt, self-doubt, prolonged misfortune and one failure after another are causes for otherwise normal people to develop a low self-image of...