Very true Michael and nicely put. You provide a very different perspective here. I particularly liked how our social environment perceives us point of view. It really is thinking outside the square. Holistically approaching the whole feeling of self worth is indeed built upon the gathering of evidence.

finally somebody has said what i really think the problem with western cultures. kudos

Interesting post, Michael. I've come to see self-esteem as being interchangeable with self-worth. I do not believe authentic self esteem is created by outside evidence or influence. My experience has been that it is an 'inside job'. At my core, self-esteem is innate, something I naturally possess. It was from society's deceptions that I believed, that I developed early on the perception that self-esteem/self-worth was related to situations or circumstances outside of myself. As I have become clearer about my intrinsic self-worth, I am MUCH less susceptible to the fluctuating winds of change, and my identity and value is no longer connected to what I do. Thus my 'sense of self' has become quite independent from my previously conditioned social belief system.

Valencia: Your last statement says it all. What you are talking about is sense of self and ego integrity, not self-esteem or self-worth. Both sense of self and ego intregrity are, of course, along with self-worth and sense-of-place, quite legitimate components of what I refer to as the Self System. Self-esteem and self-worth, from a post-modern perspective and discounting James' initial characterization, however, cannot be interchangeable because they are different paradigms. Self-esteem, in its modern application, is based on a false premise, and self-worth is built on concepts derived from social constructionism. The position that you assert is your own, and I respect that. But it flies in the face of the current reearch which, given the work that you do, seems curious. Blessings, Michael

Actually Michael, what I am talking about when it comes to self-esteem has nothing to do with ego. I believe at our core, our true authentic self-esteem comes from who we are as Spiritual Beings, our TRUE SELF. The problem is that because we think that we are 'only human', which is the domain of the ego, we do indeed, as you say base our self-esteem on a 'false premise'. When we live from a place of wounded ego, our 'self-esteem' can vary all over the place. This false premise is also related to social constructionism. I do not accept social traditions as valid paradigms to define my own self-worth, or to tell me how I should 'esteem myself'. While many people's
self-worth is derived from 'social constructionism', I know that the only way to have a sense of self-worth that is not based on social whim, is to know that you are a valuable Being just because you exist. One gives away their power to externals when one bases their worth on the current trend of the day. Where we differ is that you are defining self-esteem on purely psychological/emotional terms. I choose to include the spiritual dimension as the foundation on which the psychological can be based.

Also, as far as research is concerned, you seem to be strongly opinionated. The research that I have come across can vary depending on how self-esteem is defined. Again, it is not so black and white as you seem to make it out to be.

Peace,
Valencia

Michael,

Agreed. And by the way, remember that perception can be as individual as a fingerprint. I would disagree that all of my posts do not convey my core beliefs on Spirit, mind and body. I have other people who either talk to me or have written to me to convey just the opposite of what you perceive. Though, I will be the first to admit that my blog voice is evolving just as I am. At the risk of sounding like a cliche, 'Life is a journey, not a destination'.

As far as the LASIK surgery is concerned, even though I am a Board Certified and Cornea sub-specialty trained eye surgeon, I never performed it outside of my training because I am conservative in my practice. I am highly skilled at surgery naturally, but I was more interested (in my perception) in what was best for my patients. I wear contact lenses, so that says it all.

As far as my new interest in helping people to now see with their 'mind's eye', so to speak, my intelligence and track record, as well as EQ speaks for itself. Just because I have been practicing medicine for over 20 years does not mean that I have not also been pursuing study of psychology and consciousness. I am passionately interested in Neuroscience and it's implications involving the mind, of which I do have a background in. I am intelligent enough to determine my own capabilities but I will assume that you mean well.

The Universe is big enough for us to disagree, so I will end on a note of acceptance and respect for your opinions.

Peace and Blessings,
Valencia

'Nuff said.

i think that using your approach can bring faster results when helping people to build their self esteem, or should i say self wroth ;)