The relationships we have with family and friends are
generally the ones we value the most. They are an important part of the life of
each of us. However, there is one relationship that is even more important,
that governs all the others – and that is the relationship you have with
yourself.
Every day of your life you send yourself thousands of mental
messages that determine how you evaluate your own worth. The evaluation you
make of your worth is what determines your level of self-esteem. Of course, the
messages we receive from our family, friends, colleagues and others affect our
self-esteem, too. But they send only a tiny fraction of the number of messages
you do, so they don’t have the same opportunity to affect you. Besides, if you are continually sending yourself negative,
devaluing appraisals, you will drown out the other messages, no matter how
positive they might be.
It is very important that you, yourself, become the
source of these positive messages, or affirmations as they are sometimes
called. When you take control of this process, the leverage you will gain from
your “inside” position will make tremendous personal growth possible.
Unfortunately, many people spend much more time focusing on
their faults and mistakes than they do on their strengths and successes.
However, a positive focus can be learned.