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Self Respect

Living Right

BY: T. Franklin Murphy | February 2017 (edited January 11, 2022)

A woman lifting her head to a gentle breeze. A Flourishing Life Society article on self respect

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Self-respect is more than a feel-good mantra. We show self respect through living a self-respecting life.

Stuart Smalley: “You are a good guy; people like you.”

The thoughts we recite, churn in our minds impact feelings. Whether we recite self-glorifying mantras or ruminate over worries, the thoughts influence the flow of chemicals, creating a different feeling experience. What we think matters. But what should we think and how do we direct our thoughts? Thoughts, feelings and behaviors are the foundations of experience. All three need to be in balance, integrated into life, and connecting sources to others.

Self Respect More than a Mantra

Many modern agents of happiness suggest we should only think positive thoughts. I don’t prescribe these theories of positive thinking. Disrupting emotions and thoughts have purpose, motivate action, and draw attention to important threats in the environment. I have learned to recognize negative thoughts, investigate their purpose and only then challenge, replace or accept.

Stages of Growth

We develop through phases. The struggling mind of an addict may require a different approach than a successful executive. The drug user has different demands, living one day at a time with immediate needs is more essential at this level; but through progression, decisions expand giving greater emphasis on tomorrow.

We shift awareness with growth, moving past emotional demands previously salient in our youth, to future minded decisions, and then expanding our concern to include a larger group of others. But when life in the moment overwhelms, the moment to moment struggles require intense action, thinking of starving children in war torn Afghanistan may not motivate anything but distraction from critical problems at hand.

Key Definition:

Self-respect is a combination of beliefs and action. We have confidence in our abilities, noticing strengths and accepting weakness. We act with self-respect by ethically acting with grace, honor and dignity. With self-respect, we also establish boundaries, not shamelessly allowing others to repeatedly treat us badly.

Showing Self Respect By How We Live

We may start building hope through positive mantras. If we are stuck in self-deprecating ruts of depression, inaction and self-loathing; flood your mind with encouragement—recite whatever motivates. But when healthy lust for a flourishing life returns, growth requires more than kind self-talk. Words are fruitless if we fail to act.

The benefits of self-praise plateaus when feeling good smothers motivating emotions that ignite action. An injection of heroine feels good to some, creating feelings of security; but fails to propel the user to develop connections that create security. The addict slinks into self-absorbed state of ecstasy ignoring the world. Feeling good doesn’t stand on its own. Positive speech plays a significant role in how we feel and how we feel plays a role in how we live. But self-determined action is the next step, taking us beyond thought into real life, blessing the future.

"If we are stuck in self-deprecating ruts of depression, inaction and self-loathing; flood your mind with encouragement—recite whatever motivates."

Living a Self Respecting Life

We seek simple solutions to complex problems—thought is a simple solution. We stumble upon a small insight, hoping to transform our complex existence. A solid foundation requires more than a single brick. If you desire self-respect then build a self-respecting life though healthy action, with behaviors in congruence with ethics.

We can’t stuff our mouths with junk, engage in unhealthy behaviors, act rudely to others, and then fool ourselves into self-respect. The chasm of difference between action and desires can’t be crossed with simple soul-relieving lies or greatness. Our actions and thoughts conflict.

Self-respect demands healthy values, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses, and working to be better. True self-respect requires integrity—embracing values and living according to those values. Self-respect comes from living a life we respect!

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T. Franklin Murphy

Wellness. Writer. Researcher.
T. Franklin Murphy has a degree in psychology. He tirelessly researches scientific findings that contribute to wellness. In 2010, he began publishing his findings.