Self Image, Base For Everything

The seven-plus-seven traits and manifestations, denoted by the seven alphabets, each in the word ‘success’ and ‘failure’, could, as noted by Dr Maxwell Maltz, serve as the basis for accurate analysis and self evaluation. Through intelligent application, the aspirant can thus reduce the intensity of the negative aspects within, while also further empowering the positive traits, already inherent. This is not merely personality development, but shaping one’s potential, future and destiny. To a large extent, thus, one can be the master of his fate and the captain of his soul! 

Dr Maltz also observes how all characteristics finally boil down to expressions of one’s own self image, which actually is the sum total of all the stuff, the ‘goings on’ and the matter within — one’s ‘personality’, to sum up.

For instance, ‘sense of direction’, ‘understanding’ and ‘charity’, in a ‘success’ mechanism, are born of one’s own healthy self image that he himself is a truly capable personality, fully respectful of others’ capacities too. He also sympathises with their imperfections, caused often by their limitations and troubles, as they too are children of God. The other traits of the ‘success’ personality — ‘esteem’, ‘self confidence’ and ‘self acceptance’ are also outer signs of the fulfilled self image within.

Similarly, regarding ‘failure’ mechanism, the seven traits sprout from the person’s own self image. To illustrate, one who is given to resentments over others’ unfairness or injustice, is possibly one who finds such reasons to justify his own self image of one who is a “pitiful person, a victim, who was meant to be unhappy”.

Taking cue from external traits should thus be a process, which should also go with watching one’s own self image and enhancing this through positive thinking and healthy vibrations all over. Awareness of one’s own potential, promise and latent capacities is as important, as being aware of the limitations and infirmities within.

This, verily, is right auto suggestion, based on this famous success formula of Emily Coue: “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better”. This also is the process of further empowering the positive traits within, simultaneously weakening the undesirable ones. The crux thus lies in discovering and shaping for oneself the appropriate self image, which, doubtless, is the base for everything!

K VIJAYARAGHAVAN