Sirach 4
Self-confidence
Take advantage of opportunities, but guard yourself against evil. Don't underrate yourself. Humility deserves honor and respect, but a low opinion of yourself leads to sin. Do not let others have their way at your expense; do not bring on your own ruin by giving up your rights. Never hesitate to speak out when the occasion calls for it. Don't hide your wisdom. Your wisdom and education can be known only by what you say. Do not, however, go against the truth, and remember that you do not know everything. Don't be ashamed to confess your sins; there's no point in trying to stop a river from flowing. Don't allow yourself to be dominated by someone who is stupid or show partiality to influential people. Stand up for what is right, even if it costs you your life; the Lord God will be fighting on your side.
Don't be quick to speak or lazy and negligent in your work. Don't act like a lion at home or be suspicious of your servants. Don't stick out your hand to get something if you're going to be tightfisted when the time comes to pay it back.
Not all of us are born with an inbuilt sense of self-confidence. Sometimes it can be hard to develop confidence for some, either because of personal experiences which have caused us to lose confidence or because we suffer from low self-esteem. There could be several reasons.
Greater self-confidence allows us to experience freedom from self-doubt and negative thoughts about ourselves. It also makes us more willing to take risks and more able to move outside our comfort zone or the chicken coop.
I am not too proud of the number of times I have lost my self-confidence, but I have bounced back fairly quick. Such instances are mostly due to my gradual hearing loss since my teens. However, I didn't let it deter myself pursuing my education or career that lasted more than three and a half decades. Hearing aid did help me later cope and made life easier. I should have known better but for my apprehensive attitude or backward thinking perhaps, I avoided the hearing aids for a long time. Lesson to boot😁
I avoid connecting to family and friends unless it's absolutely necessary. It doesn't mean that I am a loner, I enjoy and prefer it. I communicate better in writing. The thing about hearing loss is that no one can see it, so most people are impatient. They just assume that the person with hearing loss is being rude or slow-witted. There were situations extremely hilarious and at times embarrassing but I have sailed through. I must remember the funny incidents to jot down now on and see the lighter side of it.
When I don't hear, the best thing I learnt to do is to smile or nod my head, heart of hearts hoping it was not a question which needed a response. It took me a while to realise that everything could be said in a silence. Actually I believe people with partial or totally deafness can function very well in the hearing world whereas hearing people cannot function well in the deaf. It makes me wonder often why and how is that I cannot hear the loud banter of my close family, whereas I can perfectly hear whispers passed through lips of my closest friends or persons I am comfortable with and makes us giggle like small children and whisper more! Is there a wall built somewhere deep in the recesses of my heart, soul and mind? When you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn't.
Self-confidence means trusting in your own judgment, capacities and abilities. It's about valuing yourself and feeling worthy, regardless of any imperfections or what others may believe about you. Also, self-esteem comes, in part, from the feeling that the people around us approve of us.
It's easy to lose confidence if you believe you haven't achieved anything. We must look at what we have already achieved and think of things one is good at. Everyone has their own strengths and talents gifted by God, we must improve them. My hobby is reading and putting thoughts that run through my mind into words.
There will always be someone willing to hurt you, put you down, gossip about you, belittle your accomplishments and judge your soul. It is a fact that we all must face. However, if you realize that God is a best friend that stands beside you when others cast stones you will never be afraid, never feel worthless and never feel alone - Shannon Alder.
Good night friends 😇
