Someone on my other board this AM posted the following:
"My self-esteem must be based on the fact that I am a child of God, not what others think, not what I have done in the past, not what others do, not what I have achieved, just that I am loved by the creator of the universe."
It doesn't take much imagination to tweak that for nonbelievers. Kinda cuts through the crap to bedrock, I thought.
"I am worthy of respect, value, and compassion, whether or not I get them from others. If I don't get them from others, it is necessary to feel more worthy, not less. It is necessary to affirm my own deep value as a unique person (a child of God). I respect and value myself. I have compassion for my hurt. I have compassion for the hurt of loved ones. I trust myself to act in my best interests, and in the best interests of my children, which will ultimately be in the best interests of my spouse."
"Always go straight forward, and if you meet the devil, cut him in two and go between the pieces." - William Sturgis, clipper ship captain, 1830's.
