Rousseau’s school of thought suggests
two paths to the development of the self.
Amour
propre, which is a sense of self defined by the opinions of others, and amour de soi, which is a sense of self
defined by personal identity and genuine esteem.
But as his philosophy pointed
out, only the latter was compatible with wholeness and happiness. The former,
he wrote, was an unnatural form of love that arose only with the appearance of
society and people’s consequent ability to compare themselves with one another.
Because when we make comparisons, we’re never satisfied, and never could be.
That
was nearly three hundred years ago. And yet, his school of thought still
applies today. A life of compare still leads to a life of despair. Perhaps even
more so now, considering we have instant and unlimited access to everything
everybody is doing, all the time, forever.
If comparison were a drug, the
internet would be one giant transcontinental opium field.
And so, our mission
is to develop a sense of self that doesn’t hinge upon constant external
validation. To take responsibility for our own wholeness. To drop an inner
anchor that allows us to trust our own perceptions. Because once we liberate
ourselves from other people’s opinions, one we unshackle the self from the
prying eyes of the world, life suddenly feels free and light and peaceful. And
we can cultivate a self that the world cannot probe.
Amour de soi, indeed.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Where in your life are you not choosing wholeness?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For a copy of the list called, “22 Questions to Sidestep Entrepreneurial Atrophy,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author. Speaker. Strategist. Inventor. Filmmaker. Publisher. Songwriter.
“Scott Ginsberg’s employee training on approachability was the absolute perfect fit, and completely exceeded everyone’s expectations, including mine. The feedback we received from our team was that this was hands down the best training they have ever been to. Scott found out what was important to us and gave us several options for training solutions. I would highly recommend him for a variety of industries, and I would happily work with him again!” –Anne Conway, PHR | Corporate Director of Training and Development, | Lodging Hospitality Management
Email to inquire about fees and availability. Watch clips of The Nametag Guy in action here!
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