One cannot lead a better and happy life until and unless he knows his self-worth and knows how to deal with the demonic angels of the society. People are good to you as long as they find their purpose fulfilled but the real face of the hypocrites becomes unveiled at the slightest inconveniences. Such people tend to believe that they can use you whenever and however they want. It is you who have to make them realize that you are an individual who has his very own life and rights and if they want something from you they have to respect you for it.
Self-respect is usually defined as pride and confidence in oneself; a feeling that one is behaving with honor and dignity. You don’t have to go around making a fool out of yourself. Don’t care what people think or say about you build yourself up as such that people know they have to respect you wherever you go. Self-respect is an important thing for leading an honorable and peaceful life. A place where people don’t respect you, leave immediately. A place where people hate you, stay. Because that’s all people do nowadays! You have to lead a better life for yourself, not for them.
Here are ten steps to improve your life.
1) Wake up early & take a walk:
“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise”. Try to wake up early in the morning. A little before dawn breaks. The darkly lit sky at that time really gives your mind a peaceful vibe. Practice ‘occlumency’. Take a walk around before you start your day to clear your mind of unnecessary things.
2) Set your goals:
Determine what you want to do with yourself and your life. Know what things you are interested and what you would like to pursue the long run. Don’t look at what other people are doing, look inside you and ask yourself.
3) Keep a journal:
Write. It helps clear your thoughts and helps to stay organized. Make a list of things you have to do. Note down short-term and long-term goals. Make to-do lists.
4) Avoid toxic company:
Try deserting people who constantly nag at you about your weaknesses and make you doubt your self-worth. Leave their company, find new friends, ones who care for you and have your best interests at heart.
5) Read books:
Try and make time for reading every day. Anything you like to read. There are many good writers out there: Elif Shafak, Khaled Hosseini, J.K Rowling and gazillion others. Read fantasy, fiction, thriller, horror, humor, anything at all that you are interested in.
6) Travel:
Pack up your duffel bag, put on your converse and step out the door. Don’t think about where you are going to go, you will only end up in bed with Netflix and Nutella. Just go to the sea, go for a hike, cycling, eat at restaurants. Go watch the statue of liberty, Eiffel tower, Margalla hills, Clifton, totally up to you.
7) Be confident:
Trust yourself for the decisions you make. Have enough trust in yourself not to let other people make you lose your self-esteem. Believe your self-worth. Be proud but not arrogant.
8) Keep a good diet:
Drink plenty of water, eat fruits, try foreign cuisine, eat raw vegetables. Eat healthily and stay healthy. Don’t stop eating in moments of stress or overeat when ecstatic.
9) Be grateful:
Appreciate the beauty of what you have, be thankful to God for the numerous blessings God has given you. Don’t whine for the one thing that is missing, smile for the ninety-nine that is there.
10) Meditate:
Allow yourself the simple pleasure of solitude. Do yoga, it helps relax your mind. Face the sun and closing your eyes savor its warmth on your face. It is heavenly. “Life is so ironic, it takes sadness to know what happiness is, noise to appreciate silence and absence to value presence.”
So, make the best use of it!
©Doctor ASKY – All Rights Reserved