A client shares that he has no self-worth. That he's not worth-while because he hasn't accomplished anything. That he's a drug addict.
And he goes on during the group to explain that he bases his poor self assessment on the fact that others in his family went to college. Started businesses. Are married and raising families. That most of those he went to school with are successful at something. And all he's ever done is use drugs and work in dead-end jobs.
But someone in the group inserted a bit of wisdom. He asked why the client had to label himself based on what others expect of him. Because it's sometimes hard to shed labels. If we have a negative self image we're going to use that label as a code to live by unless we shake it.
Many of us have known those who have been branded as losers turn out to be outstanding successes by most standards. But first they had to say no one's going to label me - and they changed their lives.
I once was in prison with a man who had a 4th grade education. He was a tattooed ghetto rat who looked like the best job he might land would be at the local car wash. Yet, some ten years later he had a degree in philosophy and was the featured speaker at an international conference on general semantics. He was a man who had the toughness of spirit to not let others label him. Or hold him back. He decided who he was.
To change your perspective realize that tomorrow is the first day of your life. You can write the script however you want. Write your own story then start believing it.
