Recently I’ve had much more appreciation for the value of life and what it means to be an individual that isn’t coerced by fanatic influences, peer pressure and today’s exaggerated social standards.
Many young people like myself find themselves vulnerable to all types of ungodly habits and unfiltered mannerisms. And indeed it can be overwhelming. From parties to casual sex, addiction to instant gratification like drugs, performative behaviour and unrealistic lifestyles portrayed in social media that spikes our insecurity and self loathing. These things bring out the worst in us. And most importantly, these increasingly widespread endeavours only serve as a poison. And at the very least a momental disaster that only lasts for a brief moment.
There is a level of self respect that you garner for yourself that demands admiration and esteem. It’s not just discipline. Or working hours and earning much more than the average person. Neither is it just being self sufficient and holistically efficient. It’s what you hold in your heart.
Intentionality and integrity all originate from what’s inside you. Our ability to act accordingly, communicate and do great things stems from what we think and what truly resides in our hearts and resonates with us. Internal self respect that stems from the heart can do wonders for you. The same goes for all positive virtues. If it is truly ingrained in your heart, you will start to create principles that dictate your life. You will start to develop a sense of pride that contrary to popular opinion, can do a lot of justice for your life in general,
I had conversation with my good friend Faaz earlier about self pride. He argued that self pride is a virtue that does more good than harm. The reason being is that it protects us from devaluing ourselves. Someone with self pride won’t constantly club or go to regular night parties because they believe their self worth is much more valuable then letting loose amongst those who have no regard for their morality or time. Someone with self pride will uphold their moral standard and refuse to downgrade themselves by always taking things from others willingly without taking into consideration how they might be perceived.
Nobody can have self respect without having an identity of being prideful to some extent. We must learn that the value of life, its perceived significance from our perspective, erupts from our demeanour and conduct. From our subconscious beliefs. From our pride that reinforces our self respect and protects us from negativity in our current world.