Self-Esteem is the reputation that you have with yourself.

Other-Esteem is the reputation that you try to gain from other sources than yourself.

Growing your self esteem grows the reputation that you have with yourself.  The reputation that you see and most others do not.  Depending on other esteem to grow your self esteem is usually a short term resolution to a long term necessity.  Self esteem is a long-term necessity.  Without self esteem, it is nearly impossible to have Faith.  In order to have Faith you need to stand for something, to have boundaries.

The stronger your self esteem, the stronger and more dependable your personal boundaries will be.  Having strong boundaries does not mean that you are arrogant.

'Self' is a person's essential being that distinguishes you from others.

'Esteem' is respect and admiration, typically for a person.  Self esteem then, is the respect and admiration that you have for yourself

'Arrogant' is defined as having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

Possessing a low self esteem would then mean that you have a low admiration of yourself.  A low belief in your essential being.  The being that you are.

Is the being that you are a butterfly or a mosquito?

A butterfly is graceful, beautiful and colorful.  Butterflies are difficult to catch.  If you do catch one, they are soft and confident when touched.  They spread life to plants.  They are an expression of love to humans.  They share hope.  They are respected and admired.

Mosquitoes on the other hand are arrogant.  They attack others.  They suck from others.  They spread disease.  They lack grace and they replace confidence with aggressiveness.  They possess few qualities that humans want.  And they are easily swatted and killed.

Would you rather be surrounded by butterflies or mosquitoes?  

By Dwayne Fedoriuk