So, a friend posted a link to a video the other day. I don't usually get things like this, and when I do I tend to ignore them. However, this particular one caught my eye - and then my curiosity. I clicked on the link, and I actually watched the video, and I was reminded of just how hard, perhaps, I tend to be on myself.

And then I was reminded of how hard we all tend to be on ourselves. Especially us.

Here's the link... Hopefully you can find some comfort in knowing that how we see ourselves can often be, perhaps, too harsh. That the way we see ourselves is, just maybe, very much distorted by our critical eyes, our vain desire, or our pessimistic outlook.

http://www.upworthy.com/2-people-described-the-same-person-to-a-forensic-artist-and-this-is-what-happene?g=3

It's been a journey for me to come to believe that I'm probably more beautiful than I think I am. I'm not there yet, and I don't know how long it will take for me to see myself the way other people seem to see me. I don't know how long it will take for me to approach that. Importantly, though, I note that I'm getting better... thanks to a handful of very kind, patient, and helpful people.

So, how about all of you, then? Do you think you might be too harsh on yourselves?

Wow...

Yes I do think I am too critical of myself. I was told tonight by someone I've never met or seen in person ( a friend online ) that after hearing my voice and listening to how I treated others and talked that I was beautiful.

I immediately shot him down and hid in silence. I wish I could believe him.

I recall something similar to this many years ago. I think in that case, people were asked to describe themselves, then nominate two other, one who they believed liked them, the other they thought disliked them.

I think the reason we are generally hard on ourselves is the competitive  nature of human societies. Especially as children, being out down is often one of the first negative experiences we each have.

On the one had, it does tend to push us to pursue our own excellence. That is the justification of competitiveness.

On the other, it tends to cause us to not notice many of the more negative aspects which emerge. That much is currently the justification for the therapist cults.