Respect yourself

Respect yourself. 

If your self image is built on self respect, and not on the tenuous respect of others, then you are invincible. When you base how you feel about yourself on what others think, then you go into the world vulnerable. And no one gets through this life without criticism or unkind words directed at them from time to time. No one.  

Be yourself. Be the person you want to be. Be a person you can respect. How do you do that? Identify your values and live by them. When you develop a track record of meeting your own standards, then no matter what negative comments come your way, they bounce off you and you are not so deeply hurt. People treat each other poorly out of jealousy and out of their own poor self image. When someone puts you down, they are attempting to elevate themselves. Don't let them get to you. 

Action for the day: In your journal, make a list of your values and the standards by which you want to live. Work on living up to your own ideals. Impress only yourself.