Doug, Clare, and I went to visit Katie at college this weekend. While we waited for our table at a local restaurant, the woman next to us struck up a conversation-actually it was incessant bragging. Within minutes we heard about her alma maters UVA & Johns Hopkins, her great job, how smart she was as well as her father & brother, etc. It was PAINFUL!

Fortunately, our table opened up and we were saved, but she really got me thinking. Why do we brag? We all brag to some degree. Bragging is actually a way of compensating for low self-esteem. The most common survival-strategy for low self-esteem is to believe “I am good enough and important if people think well of me”. But his flawed thinking requires the approval of others.

What if we were simply good enough and important right now? What if we agree we are okay the way we are and we no longer need the approval of others to make us feel okay. I guess I prefer that others like me, but if I have to prove myself with accomplishments or pedigree, maybe their not liking me is okay? I don’t want to have to do or say things to get their approval anymore. I am good enough and important. And so are you!!

With Gratitude,
Beth