Self-Respect: The Fundamental Key to Inner Peace and Awareness

Defining Respect: What Does it Mean?

We instinctively want to respect someone we value, don't we? Someone who is worthy of respect... To be worthy, a reason is first needed. Although this reason is generally determined by societal common sense, it is fundamentally determined by the individual's unique moral compass.

In other words, to feel respect, we need a reason that aligns with our conscience, that we value, and that we believe is deserved.

If showing compassion to animals is important to us, showing respect to a gentleman who spends time every day feeding and playing with animals will be inevitable, as long as we know this particular trait of his.

The Evolutionary Roots of Respect: Why We Needed It

So, why is this tendency to "value" and "respect" so deeply rooted? Throughout human history, respect evolved not just as a rule of etiquette, but as a survival tool. In early communities, respect was the easiest way to prevent conflict. Respect shown to the experienced members of the group (knowledge), the leader (security), or the successful hunter (resources) ended unnecessary fights, strengthened cooperation, and ensured the flow of information. Respect, in essence, is an evolutionary adaptation that maintains social order, increasing both individual and communal chances of survival.

Why Self-Respect Matters: The Path to Inner Peace

Now, let's turn to the respect we feel for ourselves: Self-Respect (Self-Esteem). Why is self-respect important? For a lot of things, but primarily for Inner Peace.

When we respect ourselves, we can lean back and say, "Well done," when someone else succeeds next to us. The alternative is a total state of discomfort an internal turmoil often rooted in a lack of self-respect.

The Benefits of High Self-Respect

When our self-respect is in place, we:

• Find a reason to strive for our own health.
• Find the courage to remove or distance someone constantly affecting us negatively.
• Sharpen our ability to better analyze ourselves and the situations we face.
• Realize how unnecessary it is to focus on someone who doesn't value us.

In short, most of the time, we gain Awareness. Using this awareness to get rid of our burdens ultimately leads to peace.

How to Build Self-Respect: The Four "Self-s" Development Plan

We understand what respect is and what it's for. The good news is that when our self-respect develops, our Self-Love, Self-Confidence, and Self-Awareness also increase. Since these four "self-s" are interconnected, the efforts you make for one will indirectly boost the others.

To build self-respect, we need a reason, and to sustain it, we need a collection of reasons.

Step 1: Eliminating Self-Destructive Habits

The most effective things we can do to raise our self-respect are to stop the things that are currently actively diminishing it. Doing something knowing it harms you (like smoking) is one of the biggest self-respect killers. Keeping a constantly jealous friend close is another example. Distancing ourselves from these factors is always better than doing nothing.

Step 2: Defining and Upholding Your Core Values

Let's assume you've reached a neutral point. A great starting point is to determine a small value and commit to it. I'm talking about the values that define who you are for example, "I will now be a person who does X in this way," or "I will be a person who is aware of Y," or "I will have a standing boundary for Z."

A) Examples for "I Will Do X in This Way":

• I will perform my work with diligence and care.
• I will be a person who genuinely loves themself.
• I will achieve C1 level English proficiency.

B) Examples for "I Will Be Aware of Y":

• I will be aware of what I want, what I love, and how I react to things.
• I will be aware of why people behave towards each other in certain ways.
• I will be aware of my own core problems.

C) Examples for "I Will Have a Standing Boundary for Z":

• When a friend shows me they don't value me, I will present the necessary assertive boundary to prevent recurrence or distance myself.
• I will never lie to my family.
• I will be someone who is unafraid to report injustice to the necessary places.

The Paradox of Effort and Motivation

This is always a matter of choice: Are you ready to strive for a beautiful life (which boosts all your "self-s"), or will you continue living while knowing something is wrong (which diminishes them)? It's a paradox: the more you strive, the more motivation you gain; the more you quit, the less energy you have to start.

The difficulties in our lives, according to a beautiful perspective, are merely tests of how much we truly want the change we seek.

The Result: Sustainable Growth and Self-Worth

Your felt value (self-love, self-confidence, and self-awareness) will increase. When following these steps, never think you have a time limit; try to enjoy the process. You will feel success and development from the very first day.

You will be tested. Sometimes you will feel stagnant or even regress, and this is completely normal. These foundations are getting stronger and stronger over time.

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Note: If you think there are parts that should be added or could be explained better, please contact me so I can improve this resource. The more understandable and full of helpful suggestions it is, the more useful it will be.