Respect yourself

from cyborcosmic - Tuesday, February 08, 2005
accessed 1170 times

For most of us growing up the Family, we frequently suffered attacks on our self-esteem/ self-worth.

The Family hoped to foster the same cult-like dependency they instilled in our parents. The result was to doubt and question our own thinking and abilities. Those of us who had not yet been shattered were labelled proud, boastful, or selfish; it was quite the opposite of reality. We were kind-hearted and soft-spoken children, and like any child, in need of attention we were so often denied. This isn’t one of those articles where I expound on all the poor treatment we received, instead I would like to focus on the positive qualities we have that The Family/our parents never bothered to encourage. And remove the negative attitudes they tried to instil.

First, ask yourself “Did I personally influence any of the events?” Most probably you were powerless to control the events at home, within your family and you could not stop the abuse you witnessed without getting abused.
Ask yourself “What’s the greatest thing about me?” And its not that you are ‘Godly’ or ‘such a blessing’, its something that is unique for you, like your unique talent(s), your above average intelligence or shrewdness.
Now ask yourself “ Putting all excuses aside, what is actually wrong with me?” Just because your environment treated you like the scum of the earth doesn’t mean that you are the scum of the earth!

I have a huge F*** YOU to how I was raised in the family! They took everything away, but now I got myself back. I had to fit myself into what they wanted me to be. Now I can choose who I want to be.
I used to feel the need to prove I was worthy. Now I appreciate myself for standing up and saying no to others.
Now that I have myself back, I’m not going to let anyone take my will without a fight.
I used to have to protect my innerself, now I can confidently show the world my strength as well as my vulnerability. I used to feel very small and unwanted, only a servant to their wishes. Now I am no longer a pleaser, because I don’t have to earn respect that way. I am full of respect for being somebody, not just anybody.