Learning to Like Ourselves

When I was at JKUAT in 2007, I dipped into a communication textbook in the university library and came across a speech about learning to like ourselves. And wow! I found the speech so educative, so inspiring, so invigorating.

And it was like the author wrote it with me in mind because I could relate to everything she said, like how most of us don't like ourselves because we think our peers are better than us.

Even the examples she gave of her message seemed tailor-made for me, like how, even though we may not be rich or famous like some celebrities, we can play the piano and give a speech (talents I have) better than them.

She also said we can be kind and forgiving, qualities of the heart from which true self-worth stems. And those who know me well will tell you I'm kind and forgiving. I've never been one to carry grudges.

Now that she seemed to have written the speech with me in mind, I can comfortably say she warned me against "the acid cruelty of the world" - the unkindness of others. As long as I live, I'll face criticism.

Well, some of the criticism will be valid and essential to my growth. Much of it, though, will be due to "the pecking order of society". Others will want to escape their insecurities by trying to appear better than me.

That's why she urged "me" to embrace the attitude of Abe Lincoln, who said, "It's up to me to whittle what I can with what I've got. I'm ready to admit you can make a better-looking dog out of the same raw material, but what I am, I am."

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Also check out "A Book That Changed Me".