12 Ways to Improve Your Self-Image part 2 of 2
12 Ways to Improve Your Self-Image (Part 2 of 2)
(Please read 12 Ways to Improve Your Self-Image part 1 of 2 before you continue in case you have not)
- Unmask
A mask is a personality trait that you create and project to the world. Its purpose is to hide the real you. Masks are symbols of insecurity and self-doubt. They are often the result of someone’s expectations for someone else; it is generally at the expense of suppressing the real you.
“Time's glory is to calm contending kings, to unmask falsehood and bring truth to light.” - William Shakespeare
Remove the mask of someone else’s expectations and stop deceiving yourself. As long as the mask remains
- Have compassion
You must be sensitive to the needs of others and be willing to give assistance. As you progress along your success journey, you can acquire a greater sensitivity and a greater responsibility to the plight and condition of others. This human sensitivity puts you in harmony with your Creator, and elevates the quality of your own being.
All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives. - Dalai Lama
We have dominion over every living thing on the earth. Genesis
- Grow from your mistakes
No one has ever succeeded without making mistakes. I got some bruises and lots of fall off the bicycle when I was learning to ride. If you are making mistakes, at least you know that you are trying. Mistakes are life-lessons in wisdom.
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein
Often, you learn more from your mistakes and failures than from your successes. You determine what works in a particular situation by learning what does not work and then trying again.
Let your mistakes, through intelligent analysis and corrective actions, become markers showing the way on your journey to improve your life. You can’t live long enough to make mistakes all by yourself. Be willing to listen and learn from the mistakes of other people.
- Acknowledge your weaknesses
Any weakness or personal shortcoming that is not acknowledged cannot be overcome. Refusing to accept your weaknesses can lead you to rationalization and self deception. You perpetuate that condition.
“Our strength grows out of our weaknesses “- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Be Yourself
People who pretend to be someone or something other than themselves never discover who they really are. When you try to be someone else, you become separated from your true self, your energies are diluted and your personal magnetism is greatly diminished. When you are true to yourself, you are in harmony with yourself, with other people, and with the world around you.
I advised my 8 year old son, just be yourself at your very best all the time. He has been consistent being on the top of his class.
“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The moment you reject the growth principle of life, you accept the static principle of death. The only way to attain the good health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity you seek and deserve is to grow into these qualities and attributes. To maintain them, you must continue to grow in knowledge, understanding and consciousness.
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. – Benjamin Franklin
Improving and developing your self-image into a positive is the best first step you can take on building the new you. It is upon your newly developed self-image that the foundation for the mansion of your dreams is built. If this foundation is based on doubt, fear, and negativity, your mansion cannot stand. But if it is built on truth, courage, compassion, self-confidence, love, and faith, your mansion stands on solid ground. It will stand forever.
“He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” – Luke 6:48
Never stop growing. Even if we think we've already achieved what we want it's best to achieve more. Personal growth is a never ending process, everyday the world changes and so do people.