by Eugene Pitout

Created on: May 06, 2009

"And I don't want to burst your bubble but you've got trouble. Don't you know the higher the top the longer the drop? " Stargazer. Neil Diamond

Oh yes when you blow your own horn it has the potential to come back and sting you in the back right? Is that not what our parents taught us when we were young? Well that sets the game plan for many years to come. I'll venture a sweeping statement and say that the majority of people on this planet have a low self esteem.

You see we grew up in large families and in religions that teach us to feel guilty about our natural biological functions and desires. So for a start we condemn this very body we chose to experience this reality with. Then to top that up we have sibling rivalry and parents who are afraid we might get delusions of grandeur and burst our own bubbles. Bless their souls.

Even today when I get an inflated ego over some greatness that I achieved I can just pass it on to my mother and she will "cut me down to size" So we are often taught to remain meek and submissive. Now feelings like envy and jealousy are created when someone does something that you could have done, especially if you only had a bit more self-esteem you would have done the same thing. So it becomes rather annoying when another proves it to you. Even more so when they brag about it.

That is one part of the story. The other reason why they annoy us is because we do not have enough compassion to deal with them. Most people have such a low self-esteem that we should pity them. Then they hide that with pompous attitude and often they will brag about the only thing they have that counts in their favor.

Now in reality we are all unique and wonderful in our diversity but the person with low esteem will not realize their uniqueness as a virtue. They would rather harp on that one event in history or that one talent they have and keep talking about it seeking recognition, praise and ego stroking from others.

When you reveal a bit of compassion you can easily resort to your charitable self and give them the recognition they seek. I mean who really cares ultimately about their virtues but them? So with compassionate charity you can open your heart and tell them how wonderful they are. These people need some esteem and it does not cost you anything to give it to them.

The problem is that in the humdrum of life we don't always have the patience and compassion in full supply so we grind our teeth and wait for the next opportunity to change the subject. We also

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