[voidray]

Greetings Exalted Ones,

Having low self esteem is described like "one's inability to accept himself"

So, description says the verb "accept". Okay, well. BUT, which meaning is the verb "accept" used?

"to recognize that something is true, fair, or right", which means we are good in fact but we can't recognize our good aspects or features etc.

or

"to recognize that a bad situation exists and cannot be avoided or changed", which means we are bad(unskilled, stupid, idiot, coward or any bad adjective that can substitute for the adjective "bad") in many aspect, perhaps in every aspect and way.

Which one?

[BLUEDOVE]

Hi,
Don't take the dictionary as all.There is far more to it than you would first assume.Please do yourself a favor and get the following
book:"THE SIX PILLARS OF SELF-ESTEEM",I promise you it will change your life! Let me know what you think of it when you get it
and we can discuss viewpoints.
Kindest Regards,
BLUEDOVE.
P.S. Author is Nathaniel Branden

[Callmebj]

Hi voidray, that first description makes some sense to me. Accept yourself as who you are at the moment, but hope to be a better you in increments in the future. I don't think we consider our own self-esteem in any objective way. Unless we practice narcissim, we usually do not build ourselves up as others might see our assets better than we do.

BLUEDOVE, sounds like a good reference...I'm a avid reader in the winter months, so will try to find this book in my library locally. thanks for the heads-up on it.

hugs, bj

[justaSeeker]

Hi Ray,

Wikipedia has a good page about self-esteem: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-esteem

I think I found the source of your definitions for the word 'accept'. If you had read a few more entries, you'd have come across this definition: "to consider that something is suitable, or good enough for a particular purpose"I would say to you please add this definition to your list as it is very appropriate to the intention, and purpose of your question.

Following are some differing viewpoints which expand upon your definitions.

"to recognize that something is true, fair, or right" we can also recognize these things, by knowing their opposite definitions: not true, unfair, and not right.

"to recognize that a bad situation exists and cannot be avoided or changed" notice the word "situation" it is the "situation" that is bad (negative), NOT the person. Bad, as used here, means negative, and does not imply a moral judgement.

And now for the definition that wasn't included:
"to consider that something is suitable, or good enough for a particular purpose" to give some thought to the realization that you ARE good enough to think about yourself in ways that are true, fair, and right.

[Ortus]

Good question. I'm starting ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) with my therapist. I ordered a workbook that we'll be starting just as soon as it arrives. It's accepting things as they are and as one is. Sometimes part of that acceptance is accepting that someone else's behavior or our own is in fact unacceptable. lol Anyway, will share as I learn more.

[Erti]

To accept as oppose to hate?