Um... REALLY?!?!
I have always been vaguely uncomfortable with the 'f**k the haters' mentality that pervades modern culture as of late. The above picture, posted on facebook a few months ago, bothered me. I couldn't quite agree with the sentiment, and it bothered me enough to write a blog about it.
Let's begin....
1. To have faith in oneself and love for oneself is wonderful and commendable. But your self esteem should be earned and derived by your service toward others and your attitude toward your life and work.Not simply from the fact that you exist and draw breath. In other words, do something substantive before you decide you are the best thing that has ever walked the earth. :) Chances are that in the process of living life you will earn a little humility and empathy. To me, sympathy and empathy are preferable to RAMPANT self-esteem.
2. Should you let the thoughts and opinions of others unduly influence you to the point of crippling anxiety? No! But We should ABSOLUTELY and UNDOUBTEDLY CARE what others think of us. To do otherwise seems to me to indicate a sociopath's attitude toward life. You should exercise your freedom as a human being but not at the expense of others. Of course I care what others think of what I do. Being a Diva or Bridezilla is not cute or charming in real life. It really comes down to self-esteem vs. self centeredness.
Self-Love should not make others hate you. :)
Brava, a thousand time brava! I think it's tied in to the rampant entitlement that pervades our society.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and I think you are correct. :)
DeleteOutstanding! Yes - only sociopaths truly don't care what others think of them. Further, I agree that too much self esteem is unearned. I'd reckon that you can track this back to the first generation of kids that rode in cars with the "Baby on Board" sign.
ReplyDeleteHA! Yes, as a teacher I see it a lot. Kids are genuinely good, it does MORE damage to them to give unearned rewards, and tell them that their own feelings trump everything else...
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