Self-belief

Volunteering at a rehabilitation centre for drug and alcohol misuse, I have heard some of the most depressing stories and experiences these individuals have had to endure. After going through neglect and rejection to extreme levels, it's more than understandable why someone would loathe themselves. No one has ever shown them why they should love them. But it is so sad to see how these experiences have molded these individuals into vulnerable adults who struggle to love themselves years after the abuse.  

I think it is fair to say, we all put ourselves down. Not because we all had an abusive childhood, but because we have been faced with growing in a society where we have to hide ourselves. Where shame and guilt drive our sentiment, and where it is easier to hate the other's short fallings than to love to the one next to us.

I am fascinated by the fact we are born innocent and pure, but by the age of 7 (and younger) we start to demonstrate our insecurities. We start to demonstrate our lack of self-belief. We say how Bobby doesn’t want to be our friend, how we aren’t good at maths or art. And it’s sad that this thinking framework then follows us throughout our lifetime.

When wondering where this lack of self-belief comes from, I couldn't help but think about fear. It's easier to put ourselves down and to blame ourselves than to forgive ourselves and others. When we forgive ourselves, we liberate ourselves from a self-inflicted oppressive way of being and are free to to dream loudly. This, however, is scary. 

It's easy to listen to that self-destructing voice. The one that ever so kindly reminds us of all our failures. Although it can be more difficult to believe in ourselves, the power of that feeling will overcome any fear. Any fear of failure. Any fear of not being good enough. 

We can also over-ride that voice. We just have to remember that we can do it and we do deserve it.