The Face of Self Esteem is an indepth discussion of what true self esteem looks like. My favorite part is the idea that strong self esteem creates a feeling of relaxation because we are sure of our ability to eventually conquer our obstacles.
"Relaxation implies that we are not hiding from ourselves and are not at war with who we are."
Self esteem is linked to the following:
Rationality - Living consciously and valuing facts above unreflective obedience.
Realism - A recognition of what is and what is not.
Intuitiveness - The ability to trust your instincts.
Creativity - Being able to value the production of the mind. Taking those ideas and nurturing them.
Independence - Confidence to follow your own path.
Flexibility - Ability to examine the facts and change your actions accordingly. "A mind that trusts itself is light on its feet." Includes being comfortable managing change.
Willingness to admit and correct mistakes.
Benevolence and cooperativeness - Dealing with others with compassion.
