Self esteem is a state of mind. Do you love yourself? I mean do you sincerely love and adore yourself? If you understand the difference between self-confidence and arrogance the notion of valuing yourself shouldn't be an issue. It is the insecure ones who need to impress you, who are compelled to show off and boast, seeking attention and approval. Arrogance is the word we use to describe those who don't think highly of themselves, those who don't love and value themselves.
Sadly, this common sense recognition is so rare that it has become a treasure when handed out. It's okay to love yourself. Unless you inwardly have such a high opinion of yourself that you are in love with yourself, you'll be way too busy with your 'compensating, with your 'something to prove' that you'll have no ability to express real compassion or caring for anyone else. You might go through the motions of caring as a 'hey look how loving I am' pose. But you'll be seeking the approval rather than the well being of others.
This really does need to be said. We really do have to be captain obvious with this truth. Because look at the world around us. Look in their eyes as you pass the others in public. Most won't even acknowledge you as a human being. They won't make eye contact. They're afraid. They are not fearlessly in love with themselves. They don't know, because nobody told them enough, that they deserve love. They don't know that they deserve to be themselves without fear.
You deserve love. You are awesome. There is no one like you. You don't deserve to have the money you work for stolen against your will and controlled by those who extort it from you. You don't deserve to have your victimless passions and interests banned or controlled by meddlers who issue violent threats. You're in a toxic relationship right now with authoritarian socioapathic narcissists, because of your low self-esteem. But believe me when I tell you: YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS.
You are worthy of respect. You don't need to put up with anyone claiming higher rights than they permit you to claim. If you are minding your own business, you shouldn't be threatened or harmed. Stand up straight. Look the others in the eye. Remind them of who they really are. Remind them they are worthy of love. Remind them they can let go of being dominated against their wills. Explain that they don't need to put up with being threatened violently and routinely abused by so called 'authorities.'
It's okay to turn your back on those who mistreat you. You deserve to be free. You are worthy of real freedom, respect and love. Listen. You really are. It serves no one for you to live in fear. You deserve love. Self-esteem really is a state of mind, and it is a state you can attain. You can stand up for yourself. You can love yourself. You don't have to be controlled by people who walk all over you and who don't value you. So get up off your knees and stand up to those who presume you deserve to be mistreated and tread upon.
Isn't it time? You deserve love and freedom, remember? There's no need to be afraid. Remind the others. You can just let fear go. Let it go. You deserve it.
"Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day."~Thomas Jefferson