This is a fantastic piece of writing - thank you. I read it twice! I certainly see the arguments you're making, and believe that this lack is extremely deep in today's modern world. Lots of people live in other people's images of themselves, not as independent works of art themselves. Social media does us all no favours in this regard.
You've clearly provided two useful starting points for people to help them start their lifelong journey towards nurturing a deep sense of self-respect.
My favourite part of the essay is this:
"
The purpose of self-respect isn’t to bring your values to the masses. The purpose is to align your actions with your values every single day.
You might find these values in Church, or in the books of Nietzsche or Hume. But you must find them. And you must be able to reason with yourself to the point where you could explain to a stranger why you believe what you do.
Thank you Kabir for the kind words. I really appreciate you taking the time to read the piece. I love the idea of thinking of yourself as a work of art. I haven't heard this idea phrased that way but it's something that I try to cultivate in myself. Might have to write a piece only on that idea!
This is a fantastic piece of writing - thank you. I read it twice! I certainly see the arguments you're making, and believe that this lack is extremely deep in today's modern world. Lots of people live in other people's images of themselves, not as independent works of art themselves. Social media does us all no favours in this regard.
You've clearly provided two useful starting points for people to help them start their lifelong journey towards nurturing a deep sense of self-respect.
My favourite part of the essay is this:
"
The purpose of self-respect isn’t to bring your values to the masses. The purpose is to align your actions with your values every single day.
You might find these values in Church, or in the books of Nietzsche or Hume. But you must find them. And you must be able to reason with yourself to the point where you could explain to a stranger why you believe what you do.
"
Thank you Kabir for the kind words. I really appreciate you taking the time to read the piece. I love the idea of thinking of yourself as a work of art. I haven't heard this idea phrased that way but it's something that I try to cultivate in myself. Might have to write a piece only on that idea!