Week 42
You are unique and special.
The fact that God created people of so many different personality types, inherent talents and abilities, and unique appearances clearly indicates that He has no preference for any particular shape, size, or color. Abraham Lincoln once said, “God must have loved the common people for he made so many of them.” I believe he was wrong. In contrast, the world is filled with uncommon people!
One of the main obstacles that hinders our relationships as well as our own self-esteem and personal improvement is that we are too often overwhelmed with inferiority complexes. This often creates feelings of jealousy towards those that we are close to, mainly family and friends. This jealousy can urge us to tear down those around us rather than build them up.
This feeling of inferiority often stems in our own minds because very likely we are not the best at anything we do. We are likely very good at certain things and not so good at others, but there is always somebody else that is better. Our society glamorizes being the best, the most attractive, or the richest. For example, the team that loses the super bowl is often ridiculed, even though they were 2nd of 32 teams. I feel like I am a fast runner and have confidence in my ability to win a race. But if I were to run against Ussein Bolt, he would briskly jog alongside me laughing all the way to the finish line. I would then feel slow and humiliated.
The point is that just because we may be inferior in certain aspects, does not mean that we are inferior people. This understanding will not only improve our own self-esteem, but also help us to appreciate and compliment the good traits in others. Instead of jealousy we will feel appreciation for the fact that we are surrounded by people with talents that help to complement our own. The natural result is that people around us will feel more appreciated and respected for what they bring to the table, and more likely to compliment us in return.
One of the main obstacles that hinders our relationships as well as our own self-esteem and personal improvement is that we are too often overwhelmed with inferiority complexes. This often creates feelings of jealousy towards those that we are close to, mainly family and friends. This jealousy can urge us to tear down those around us rather than build them up.
This feeling of inferiority often stems in our own minds because very likely we are not the best at anything we do. We are likely very good at certain things and not so good at others, but there is always somebody else that is better. Our society glamorizes being the best, the most attractive, or the richest. For example, the team that loses the super bowl is often ridiculed, even though they were 2nd of 32 teams. I feel like I am a fast runner and have confidence in my ability to win a race. But if I were to run against Ussein Bolt, he would briskly jog alongside me laughing all the way to the finish line. I would then feel slow and humiliated.
The point is that just because we may be inferior in certain aspects, does not mean that we are inferior people. This understanding will not only improve our own self-esteem, but also help us to appreciate and compliment the good traits in others. Instead of jealousy we will feel appreciation for the fact that we are surrounded by people with talents that help to complement our own. The natural result is that people around us will feel more appreciated and respected for what they bring to the table, and more likely to compliment us in return.
Homework:
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O - This week pick 3 people (to start) in your immediate circle that you likely see or talk to on a daily basis. Take time to compliment them on traits that you admire about them or talents that they have. Then take notes of the responses you get in return.
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Extra-Credit:
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O - Be sure to take time to compliment yourself too!!!
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