Are you YOUR WORST ENEMY?
@western_valleygirl (1363)
United States
February 13, 2007 10:20pm CST
Sometimes, it is not the people around us that are the ones we should fear, or protect ourselves from. It is OURSELVES, that we must worry about. For there are those of us, that can really be a true enemy to our ownself. For example, do you stop yourself from doing something you want to do? Or perhaps, you are the one that never gives yourself a chance, and thus, never tried, so you would never know if you might fail or succeed. Are you the one that always puts yourself down, and never gives yourself any compliments or boosts of praise, because you do not believe in yourself or your capabilities. The way that I always see it, is that I was born on this earth, just like everyone else, and so I have as much as a right to be here as the next person. And, if I don't believe in myself, then why should I expect anyone else to? I might have moments of straddling the fence, but in general, If I can assess the situation and "look" before I leap, I will leap. So, are you true to yourself, and there for yourself, or do you hold yourself back...and thus, are your worst enemy?
3 people like this
18 responses
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
14 Feb 07
Hmm this is what my tutor always used to say to me 'Brian you are always so hard on yourself' I am if I do something wrong or stupid then I will be the first to chastise myself and I really beat myself up about wrong decisions and choices I have made, I don't nurture myself. I am full of negative thinking and I don't even try, I'm a pessimist, I have no confidence in myself and I just give up because I know I'm a loser. I don't even want a relationship because how can I have a relationship when I don't truly love myself?
1 person likes this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
14 Feb 07
You should not feel this way, people will take advantage of you and make you feel worse about yourself. Also, you should find something positive to do, that will help you flourish. I find that when I am doing something that I really love and enjoy, it makes me feel great. Also, you might not be ready for a relationship, because of the reason you stated, but, also, if you do get in one, find someone that will compliment you and encourage you to be yourself and to achieve your goals etc, the last thing you need is a person that will put you down.
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
14 Feb 07
This is a question that everyone needs to ask themselves. This is so true. The only thing standing in the way of anything you want is YOU. This hasn't always been easy for me to understand. But it is true, we can often be our own harshest critics and hold ourselves back from accomplishing great things. When a person can begin to understand their own true self-worth, they can overcome the temptation to be their own worse enemy. It comes down to how a person thinks about themselves.
1 person likes this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Yes, and it can be through the most everyday things that we overlook...for example, the night before my wedding, my sister's friend was telling me do not ever put yourself down, in front of your husband, always be positive about yourself, your appearance, and etc. Because, somtimes, I would make joking comments for no reason at all, about myself, not even seriously, and it really does not need to be said. There are times, when I am honest with myself, but, I am positive about myself, always telling him that I am so beautiful (when, I would NEVER have said something that sounds so vain before), and complimenting myself 24/7...and you know what? I am so thankful to her, because it has made me not only feel better about myself, but when I do say these things, he affirms them, and says, that yes I am beautiful, smart, etc...the best marrital advice I ever got, well, one of the best...
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
14 Feb 07
I used to be my own worse enemy, but I changed my attitude a long time ago. My dad used always tell me not to let anybody put me down and to always think highly of myself. You are right in saying that we were born on this earth just like everybody else and I might also add, that we are going to end up in the same muddy ground just like everybody else so we are no different from each other. Great topic!!
1 person likes this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Thank you. And yes, the addition is also true, and far more significant, so people should take pride in who they are and live their lives to the fullest.
@Sawsen (793)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I try my best not to hold myself back...that being said, sometimes I just know my limits. It doesn't mean I'm not being true to myself. I think it just means that I know when to quit in something. I do know what you mean though about people quitting before even trying.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Yes, sometimes, there are limits that we just cannot surpass, but that is different than, as you say, those people that quit before they even try. I am glad that you know your strengths and weaknesses and still do what you want, without letting certain things hinder you.
@Sawsen (793)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I try my best not to hold myself back...that being said, sometimes I just know my limits. It doesn't mean I'm not being true to myself. I think it just means that I know when to quit in something. I do know what you mean though about people quitting before even trying.
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I think I am my own worst enemy. I mean, I have plenty of chances to do so many things, but more often than not, I often hold myself back from doing a lot of things that I could do. Not to mention, I also criticize everything I do or don't do and everything else. I think I've gotten a lot better at not letting me get to me, but I still have a hard time every now and then.
1 person likes this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
14 Feb 07
HFAngel...I believe that many of us go through this phase, and can break out of it. You seem like an intelligent and attractive (as most of us women are brainy and beautiful) person. Do not let your inner self, that is afraid to live keep you from doing so. I remember when I applied to a university in my area, that was not only a difficult school to get into, but also expensive. I did all my research and knew that I could get in and could get a decent scholarship if I just tried...and then, it was people that were trying to hold me back...because for once, I really wanted to do something big, and I did it...I got in, and I am a senior now. Live your dreams, be successful, be happy...you only have yourself to blame if you don't. And, you will notice, that once you have more confidence in yourself, there are people that will support you, and others that want you to stay in the same mold you were in. Good luck.
@chimex4real2k2 (1853)
• Nigeria
15 Feb 07
welli still find that a very difficult question for myself if i am indeed my worst enemy because i do not always do the right things and i am controlling myself...
@Peaches1122 (470)
• United States
15 Feb 07
I do myself in many times. I do not practice what I preach. It gets me in trouble quite a bit.
@smints8985 (1594)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Well sometimes I can put it that way, in certain circumstances where I know a lot of people will not be in favor of something that I like, I will tend to consider them then later on do as what would make them happy, but then after that I will regret the fact that I did not do as I want to so I end up miserable...
It takes only my determination to get things done but then when laziness strikes, I can be my own worst enemy..
@Eswaramoorthy (39)
• India
15 Feb 07
I not a enemy to me,i am a friend to me.Every people in the world are have the friends.All are the best friends for themselves.Please think most of the time you are taking your decision on your thinking only.Only few times you are taking the decision by others opinion.So mostly you are taking the decisions, from that you are the friend for you.If you think you are the enemy to you means you cannot consider your decisions.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I am my own worst enemy. I am super critical of my self and I imagine things might happen. Then I live with the fear it might happen.
I am trying to be more confident and over come my weakness. One of my goals for the year.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Good, I hope that you can accomplish this, because it will improve the way you feel about yourself and your life. You will notice that you are more confident, and capable.
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Well, I should say both. My self is my own enemy and my own friend at different times. I keep on holding myself back in terms of love affairs. Sometimes, I would feel that because of me, I never formed any relationship at all. My self would always question things around me, which sometimes gets me into trouble. Thus, I hold myself back when I'm not supposed to, and I couldn't control myself when I should. Those are the reasons why I should say that I could be my worst enemy. On the other hand, in terms of career decisions, I am my best friend. I urge myself to go on despite adversities.
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Well, as long as you learn to make a middle ground, so that you can have the best of both worlds, you would be more at ease with yourself and your life. There is no need to substitute one thing over another, you can make your life more complete by mixing it up a bit...not too much work, nor too little relationships.
@Denmarkguy (1845)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Comes back to that old saying "If you don't like yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?"
I think sometimes we carry around an assortment of old baggage we have picked up anywhere from our family-of-origin to our current relationships. Included here can be some pretty self-destructive behaviors. For the longest time, I failed to participate in certain activities, because my dad's words "You're too clumsy!" rang in the back of my mind. You tell someone they are stupid enough times, and eventually they will believe it. Unlearning such things can take a while.
@vickyee_cbe (216)
• India
15 Feb 07
nope... definetely not.. i have certain guys from whom i feel i shud pick my best enemy.....
@mikeyr6000le (2123)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Yes I very much am my own worst enemy. I have a very high selfdestructive personallity. When things start to go right for me I mess them up somehow. I've been doing that all my life. I don't know how or why i am that way. I think I've been messed up since birth and have a wire crossed somewhere in my brain.
@lossforredwords (3620)
• Philippines
14 Feb 07
ok i believe in that cause most of the time i forbid my self to explore and reach some things that i think is so impossible but i think i can be the only to make things up and get things in order and pull my self together. thus having that enemy as yourself will only help you to know who you really are and see your strenghts on how you can fight for yourself.
@docmeme (28)
• Ireland
14 Feb 07
oh yes i totally agree with that statement.the worst enemy i've ever encountered with is myself!take smoking for example.nobody forced me to smoke.i want to quit.but i just cant.simply because i cant resist the temptation to ruin my own body.even after i've heard some devastating news about dying relatives with cancer.i still cant quit.it's all because of me!
