>
> >
> > Mel"I did mention I was 16. It is hard to have
> self-esteem at 16. Well... Maybe it's just me..."anie
>
> What's hard to have at 16 is a sense of
> perspective. As far as *self esteem* goes, I
> would rather see you develop *self respect*.
>
> koalamom

Hmmmm. That last sentence could be interpreted to be somewhat inflamatory, so let me clarify--I don't mean to say "Melanie has no self respect!" I mean to say, that it is more important to build self respect than self esteem.

Especially since "Self esteem" seems to mean "feeling good about yourself", which is how I've heard it defined. If that's so,then it is an elusive goal...anyone with a conscience won't always "feel good" about themselves. [From a Christian perspective, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans)]
I think some of us are too aware of our faults without realizing we've been forgiven for them.
(resulting in "low self esteem" (?))

I'm afraid Im wording this badly. To me there seems to be an important but subtle difference between self esteem and self respect...but I'm struggling to articulate the deeper sense of genuine humility that "respect" would require...

I'd be interested in hearing how others would define self esteem vs. self respect, or if they'd even consider them different things at all.

koala"inarticulate after midnight"mom