Wes Bertrand and I continue our series based on Nathaniel Branden's book, Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. Today's show includes a discussion based on the fourth pillar, the Practice of Self-Assertiveness.LIVING CONSCIOUSLY and asking in every applicable situation: Am I being authentic or not?Assertion of consciousness, see, think, be aware, outward and inward-ask questions-challenge authority-think for oneselfSELF-ASSERTIVENESS isn't tested by what we are against, but by what we are forCOMMITMENT: to my right to existCONVICTION: my ideas and wants are importantCONCLUSION: no one is coming, we are all responsible for our own existences all relate to COURAGE: When we were young: we were taught that what we think and want are not important and we're often left with an underdeveloped sense of identityand unnecessary "what if" worries...-if I express myself-if I love and affirm myself-if I am too happy with myself-if I stand out-how to balance this with most people's lack of appropriate self-assertiveness-living as spectators instead of actors or participantsstanding and moving "as if they have no right to the space they occupy"WHAT DOES SELF-ASSERTIVENESS look like?-confront challenges-strive for mastery in self and what we pursue -expand the boundaries of our ability to cope-learn, challenge, venture into unfamilair spaces-persevering through challenges-be in an intimate relationship without abandoning our sense of self-kind without self sacrifice-cooperation without betraying standards and convictions -how many great minds and great ideas were suppressed throughout history?simply because they had nowhere to go-authenticity -author -authorityALL derived from: auctor "master, leader, author" Who is the author of your story?THE SIX PILLARS OF SELF-ESTEEM1. The Practice of Living Consciously2. The Practice of Self-Acceptance3. The Practice of Self-Responsibility4. The Practice of Self-Assertiveness5. The Practice of Living Purposefully6. The Practice of Personal IntegrityQuestions to answer in this series:what is self-esteem?why is it important?what can we do to raise self-esteem?what role do others play in our self-esteem?The steps we'll try to follow for each pillar:-identify and define-what are the obstacles-personal stories, struggles-how to overcome themBumper Music:"Punchup At A Wedding" Radiohead "Hold Your Head Up" Argent Look Closer:Complete Liberty Podcasthttp://completeliberty.com/NathanielBranden.comhttp://www.nathanielbranden.com/An Introduction to Nonviolent Communicationhttp://happinesscounseling.com/NVC_Intro.pdfHappiness Counseling Resource Pagehttp://happinesscounseling.com/happiness-resources/The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem (pdf)http://experiencelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/70-the-six-pillars…
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