The basis of sorrow is a lack of self respect. I have been taught
that my self worth is based on transitory things such as praise, wealth
or status etc. Therefore when these things fluctuate so does my self
respect. If I have attached my self respect to my position in the
community, then when the position falters I will accordingly take
sorrow. If my self respect has been defined by what an excellent dancer I
am, or how beautiful I am, then when the body begins to age or an
illness or situation robs me of my ability to perform I will take
sorrow.
self improvement
In so doing, my interactions with others will necessarily change.
Needing to take sustenance from others to fill the gap puts me in a very
vulnerable and weak position. Why? Because for so long as the other one
fulfills my needs I will maintain my happiness, but when that one falls
short of my desire, suffering replaces my stability. Relationships
become strained. Anger and hatred replace cooperation and love. My self
respect shakes.
This then starts a chain reaction of sorrow and dependence and
dependence and sorrow. From here everything seems bleak and
unchangeable. Ego replaces self respect and I don the protective cloak
of arrogance. Arrogance, however, is merely a disguise. One wears this
cloak to attempt to hide the truth from themselves as well as others.
Arrogance comes when the soul recognizes where it should be and also
sees plainly where instead it is at present. Arrogance fills up the gap
between the two. The more arrogance; the wider the gap. The wider the
gap; the more sorrow. The one with arrogance may appear to be self
confident and in control but actually that one is holding on for dear
life. The more outwardly arrogant he is, the more he is suffering and
out of control. He has lost all sense of self and all powers have been
strewn to the wind.
Sadly, it is these very ones who recognize the least that they have
arrogance. Their cloak has turned to steel and although they feel it's
heaviness they are no longer aware that they wear such a cloak, they
instead call it personality. They say "It's just the way I am". What may
be worse is they are no longer aware that the cloak is removable at
all. They have adopted a sense of wrong destiny. They believe it to be
all there is. They have forgotten not only that the cloak of sorrow is
removable but that a cloak of virtue, power and happiness is being held
open for them, to but put on and use.
However, when I remember where self respect really comes from, I begin a
new way of being; one of complete and constant happiness, stability and
reason for life. The foundation of self respect is recognizing who I am
and who it is that I belong to. When I realize that God himself loves
me exactly as I am; always has, and always will do, how can I possibly
fail to have self respect? The greatest in the universe, The Supreme is
loving me; wow! Everything else pales. New thoughts about the self begin
to emerge.
Recognizing my birthright as a child of the most royal carries with it
hidden secrets and responsibilities. It has been because of not behaving
accordingly that a lack of self respect took hold in the first place.
Firstly, a child of God is one who is endowed with divine virtue. He is
one who wields the sword of divine power. If I wish to reinstate my self
respect, I must firstly reinstate my divinity by utilizing that which
was given me at birth. I now begin to experiment with virtue. I employ
virtue and power at the time of need. Little by little these jewels will
grow and increase. Correspondingly, so will my self respect.
Check, who is it you respect now and why? All have respect for one who
displays virtue and possesses powers such as patience, tolerance and
dependability. Everyone gives respect to he who is humble. No one gives
respect to that one who has arrogance. Yes we may subjugate to that one
out of fear or position, but that is very much separate from the love
and respect given freely to one who is humble. Rather than simply praise
the ones who demonstrate, let us begin to replicate their qualities
within ourselves. In so doing, happiness and stability will grow
exponentially. Self respect will return. It is your birthright. Claim it
once again. Let go of temporary support which in reality only serve to
rob you of your self respect and grab onto the hand of God, who will
never fail to support you in any thing whatsoever.
Self Respect
