self-esteem or vanity ????

All too often our society is concerned with so-called self-esteem, or more so the negative effects of interactions on self-esteem. Once again I would like to point out that external forces do not affect or effect self-esteem. Self-esteem is an internal mechanism and is developed through a process of accomplishment. External massaging by teachers and others does nothing for self-esteem. External forces develop vanity.

When great concern is shown for the "feelings' of our children, self-esteem is not the issue, vanity is. When the children become vain, they lose all connection to reality. Their own self-value, self-worth is tied to others. Vanity is fleeting.

Rather than continue in the direction of developing and maintaining a vain society, we need to reeducate those who educate. Self-esteem develops because one recognizes that one is able to accomplish a task well. Vanity develops when other stroke us.

Quit stroking. Go learn to do things. Accomplish something on your own without external recognition. Self-esteem will follow.

NBoC