Modesty vs Self-deprecation
November 4, 2009 – 8:45 am
Wharf Street, Charleston
With the flower show still in my brain, I awoke with a line from a song stuck in my head. “All in all it’s just another brick in the wall” ( …and no, we didn’t play Pink Floyd during the show.) As I meditated on this line, I couldn’t help but realize how often we humans add bricks to our proverbial walls. Think about it. Every time we make negative statements about ourselves we create barriers to joy.
There’s a big difference between modesty and self-deprecation. Modesty is freedom from boastfulness. Self-deprecation is negative self-talk. Often we belittle ourselves with the secretive intent of provoking others to build us up.
Example:
“I’m so fat in these pants.” (the bait)
“No, you look stunning.” (the lie)
It’s as if we so desperately need validation that we purposely criticize ourselves hoping others will convince us that what we secretly believe is not so. STOP!!! This does not serve you well. If anything, it reinforces the negativity and annoys those around you.
Just for today, try to catch your own self-deprecating behavior. Each time you do, imagine that you are removing another brick from the wall.
Happy day,
2 Responses to “Modesty vs Self-deprecation”
This is very true. When I stopped the habit of self-deprecating myself my life opened up to a positive outlook on life. I not only was hurting myself but the people whom I decided to place on the receiving end were taking the blunt of my negitivity toward myself.What you send out in the lives of others…will come back to you 100 fold. What a beautiful day..enjoy every moment.
Cindy
By Cindy Thornton on Nov 4, 2009
More true words of wisdom…and another great picture. (I love that building.)
By lynn on Nov 4, 2009