Self-worth-less-ful-ness-ism-istic.

[m_lo_ol_m]

"The truth that takes some people a long time to realize is that self-worth is inherent. You have an essential value, worth, and dignity just by virtue of the fact that you're a human being."

Hmmm. I can honestly say that I've never believed this. And I don't believe it now. It's one of those things that you hear somewhere from someone, maybe more

Comments

[m_lo_ol_m]

Hmmm, ya lost me.

Are you saying that current, present self-worth is just the belief in your potential, future self-worth? Your last paragraph kind of negates that. There, you seem to equate a belief in one's self-worth with having something to offer, but then differentiate having something to offer with potential self-worth. To me, having something to offer IS potential self-worth, and that is different from current self-worth, which you don't seem to define.

I believe I do have something to offer, I believe everyone has potential worth, and I wish to try to achieve mine. But I don't believe in my current, present, self-worth, whatever that means, whatever that may be.

[m_lo_ol_m]

So we're defining self-worth differently. You're saying self-worth is the belief in one's potential. I'm saying... hmmm... I guess I don't really know what self-worth is...

From what I've read (which isn't everything), whatever it is is apparently supposed to come from within, right now, regardless of potential or not, regardless of past achievements or not.

Having it dependent upon potential seems circular to me. If I had a time machine and could know with absolute certainty that I do accomplish some feat of great value someday, I don't think that would affect my sense of self-worth either way. I've heard that history is rife with people who accomplish great things in spite of, or even because of, their lack of self-worth.

Maybe you're right, and it's just one of those things that you really have to own before you understand what it is. Or maybe I do have it and just don't recognize it.

[lifeafeast]

The second part of Viktor E. Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning, about Logotherapy, might help you some, with his theory on Existential Vacuum, meaning of Love, meaning of Life, etc. which explains pretty clearly why we feel such worthlessness in the modern world.

Love,

Xuan

[m_lo_ol_m]

Thanks, Xuan, I will check that book out. :)