Self-image, it’s how we see ourselves.

The opinion that we have about ourselves.

I knew what opinion I was NOT supposed to have about myself being raised as a JW. I was taught to be modest. Not just in the way that I dressed but, in the way I saw myself too. 

Don’t be arrogant. Or showy. Don’t brag, or be too full of yourself. 

But, being JW also meant that I was trained and raised by narcissists.

This was just the culture. Period. 

So much time spent trying to manage how other people saw me. People pleasing ran DEEP. Deeply socialized to please other people, care more about their opinions of me than my opinion of me. Being presentable, acceptable, being likable, meek, sheep like. 

To an organization. To be loved.

There’s a big difference between narcissism and a positive self-image. 

A big difference in bragging about yourself and a positive self-image.

When you’re a narcissist JW you think highly of yourself and low of other people. 

And when you’re bragging your saying, I’m better than you.

That’s not what I’m saying at all. We’ve spent too many years being taught this JW way by an organization that is delusional about how they are chosen. They are the only true religion. The other 99% of the population is wrong, sinful, just plain satanic. Worthy of death. 

They kept us small so they could control us. 

Death always looming in the background.

Narcissism is about needing other people to love us and serve us and pay attention to us at their expense. That’s exactly what the Governing Body does. They do not have a high self-image, they have a low self-image. 

They loved themselves more than they loved us. They NEED people to love them more than they love themselves. Control, money and manipulation. So much entitlement to excessive admiration and wanting to be seen as superior. 

When I was a JW I was narcissist towards others outside the religion.

At the Kingdom Hall, I was a victim of the culture.

That’s why this positive self image stuff is so confusing once you wake up and get out.  Years later it can still be so deep in your subconscious. These beliefs that the GB taught us we NOT facts. 

Their thoughts were and are opinions. Narcissistic opinions. 

The fact is: we are human. Wonderfully created. Each of us is an absolute miracle.

And, that’s the difference right there. I’m amazing and so are you!  Positive self-image knows that you’re not perfect and you don’t need to be. 

You are amazing because you are not perfect, because you are human.

And, because we are human we are already worthy. Worthiness is not a choice or decision.

Have an amazing week! 

You are an amazing wonderful imperfect human doing human stuff. 

100% worthy.