My first post was a selective cut-and-paste of what Dr. Branden said at the first international conference of self-esteem. I know not all of you will take the time to read a 10 page summary- shame on you (just kidding- but I still urge everyone to read it). If you haven't read it, then this 2 page blog post can be found insightful.
In short, Dr. Branden wanted us to realize the importance of Self-Esteem. He doesn't suggest that it's the solution to those who pursue happiness, but rather, he suggests that a healthy self-esteem is a necessary condition to our well-being. Simply put- we cannot achieve fulfillment without it.
Those who are high in self-esteem are strong in the wake of difficulties and set backs, they are also determined and ambitious towards a goal they have set. This really refers back to anything, emotional goals, creative goals, and spiritual goals. Those with low self-esteem stick with the relatively safe, the known, and the undemanding. It's a self-reinforcing, repetitive cycle, and if we have a high self esteem, we get right back up when we take a fall (failures, mistakes, regret- relate back to the post Our Past.)
Now here's one of my favorite parts: Dr. Branden stated that if we have a low-self esteem, we will tend to attract those who are low in self-esteem as well. This can be really disastrous- two people who think poorly of themselves on the inside, coming together to form an even more toxic relationship.
Why would it be toxic?
