Self-respect Starts with the Self....

 

Self-respect Starts with the Self...

There are a lot of books and literature written on self-respect and self-realization. I searched, and some say self-respect is everything. Some say self-respect is when you give and then you receive. Some say self-respect is a reflection of your own self-worth. Others say self-respect is when your thoughts, words, and actions are in harmony. Another theory says self-respect is the fruit of discipline, a sense of dignity that grows when you learn to say no to yourself. Many times, to go with the flow of peers, situations, and time, we take decisions that become difficult to deal with in the future. As individuals, we learn values from our parents, gain good education, and become professionally efficient, yet in the rat race, whether for marketing, selling, or earning quick money, we sometimes degrade ourselves. We do things that are unnecessary, beneath our dignity, and seek short-term benefits, repeating the same cycle again and again. Why? Don’t you respect yourself, your education, your professionalism, your dignity, your life ethics, and your principles?

I have heard that Lord Krishna was very close to the five Pandavas. When they went to play dice with the Kauravas, they did not inform him. Earlier, they had discussed with Lord Krishna and Draupadi that when they call him, he should come to their rescue. The Pandavas and Draupadi had received great education and values from their parents and ancestors, and they felt that everything they did was right, believing they could deal with all challenges in life. Lord Krishna, though aware of the tough time ahead, did not stop them from playing. To make them realize reality, he chose to say no to himself and refrained from helping them until they called him.

Lord Krishna has taught us that self-respect is about discipline and maintaining dignity. Until you are called, you need not interfere, nor should you support wrong actions, even if those involved are your closest loved ones. Another teaching of Lord Krishna is that once your loved ones do call you in difficulty, you must do your best to help them. Maintaining self-respect with self-awareness is entirely in our hands. Awareness of self-respect also teaches us to differentiate between what is good and what is harmful for us.

We recently had a young man who suffered a paralytic attack at the age of 38. He was intelligent, had a good job, and was married, but he never respected his own body. He consumed junk food, did no physical exercise, had bad habits, and frequent anger issues. He never paid attention to what he truly needed in life and lacked focus, simply going along with whatever came his way. Today, after the paralytic attack, his inactive lifestyle has made him lose confidence. Youngsters today must understand that it is very important to be aware of themselves, their circumstances, and the consequences of not being disciplined or organised in what they do.

Due to losing confidence, he is unwilling to cooperate with challenges necessary for progress. We spent many sessions convincing him to take steps forward. If recovery does not happen within 3 to 6 months, progress becomes stagnant. We began discussing his recovery path, explaining that if he worked hard, he could recover faster. We reminded him of his qualities, his strengths, and his efficiency at work. The smile on his face showed that he was aware of his inner power, but he did not know how to use it in the best possible way. The individual power of self is tremendous, if only we understand it. Today, with self-realization, he has progressed almost 50%.

We often say, “You don’t know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” This was something we shared with the young man, reminding him that strength does not always come from physical ability but from determination and willpower. We encouraged him to look at hearing-impaired children, who face challenges every day yet never let their limitations define them. Their courage and perseverance can inspire anyone to realize that inner strength is far greater than external struggles.

Recently, during our anniversary celebration a workshop was organised for hearing impaired children. These children were given the task of making Ganpati idols. At first, it seemed like a difficult challenge, but they accepted it with smiles and enthusiasm. With patience and creativity, each child poured their heart into the activity, and the results were remarkable, every idol was unique, beautiful, and full of devotion. Their joy in embracing the challenge was a lesson in itself, showing how self-respect and positivity can transform difficulties into opportunities for growth.

When we reflect on such experiences, we realize that self-respect is not just about saying no to what is wrong but also about saying yes to our inner strength and potential. Whether it is a boy recovering from a paralytic attack or children overcoming hearing challenges, the message is the same: life will present struggles, but how we respond defines our dignity. With awareness, discipline, and faith, we can unlock the immense power within us and lead a life of purpose and resilience.