Never doubt yourself.

Everyone has an innate Buddha nature. Every thinking being on this planet has the potential to be enlightened and become a Buddha. At times in all of our lives, though, things go wrong and they may or may not be out of our control and they can make us lose sight of this fact. Someone may say something mean, a friend may hurt you, in work or academics you may come up short of your own expectations or those that others may have for you. These situations can understandable cause a person to think negative thoughts about herself. For example, a low grade on a test can make you feel stupid. A bad soccer practice can make you feel as though you suck at soccer. A rejection when asking out that hot girl that came into your place of work last week can make you feel like a loser. You may dwell on these thoughts and situations until you lose faith in yourself. These are the kinds of thoughts that the Buddha would refer to as delusions. They are simply not true. And just as negative thoughts against others can turn into negative words and actions and simply breed misery and anger, so can negative thoughts about yourself. Rather than change the crappy situations that happened in the past, or causing positive changes for the future, they will not accomplish anything except for making you feel horrible right now.

Always remind yourself that the negative thoughts you have for yourself are delusions, and they are only getting the way of your true potential. Always show love and compassion, and know that even if they don't seem to appreciate it, that you are a good and beautiful person. Take up a new activity that will allow you to help others. If you meditate, then concentrate on your innate great perfection and Buddha-hood. Meditate on the fact that everything is transient, and thus your current unhappy situation is bound to change. Remember the law of karma, and keep in mind that positivity in your own life can only come from taking positive action yourself.

The main thing to take away from all of this, though, is that negative self-talk is delusional. Always remind yourself when you think, "I am not good enough," that this is entirely untrue. You are perfect.


"You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection."

-The Buddha

"Human potential is the same for all. Your feeling, 'I am of no value,' is wrong. Absolutely wrong. You are deceiving yourself. We all have the power of thought -- so what are you lacking? If you have willpower, then you can change anything. It is usually said that you are your own master."

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama