It is a free time. All the boys are happy and cheerful. They run about playing football. But Prasd dose not want to play. He stands and worries. He thinks that he is not all a good player. He doubts about his abilities. He stands away from the group and worries and cries.

This is an example of self –esteem.

What is self-esteem?

Self-esteem is a quality that one feels about oneself. It is a quality by which you evaluate or estimate or judge yourself. Self –esteem is feeling of personal worth. It is a kind of inside feeling.

Some times you feel, ``I am wonderful’’ or `` I am okay’’. These feelings- I am wonderful, I am okay, I will do it and so on are positive feelings. Such feelings will enrich your life. These feelings would help you to take part actively in sports and games and other activities with joy and enthusiasm.

Positive feelings help you to study well even if you fail. Positive feelings will not allow you to quit or give up.

Sometimes you feel, `I am useless’’, ``I cannot do it’’, and so on. Such feelings are negative feelings. Negative feelings will destroy you self- esteem. They will take away your enthusiasm they are like cancer. They will make you weaker in mind and body and in personal relation ships.

Lack of self-esteem will damage your all –round progress. Self-esteem is important to every one of you. With out self-esteem life is difficult; sometimes it is impossible is the most nourishing food for your emotional heath.

You have to do a lot to keep self-esteem. The following guidelines will help you to have self-esteem.

• Never say to yourself, ``I am poor, I can not do it’’, but say, ``I will try’’. Think this way, ``If he can do and she can do, why can’t I’’?
• As you need love and acceptance from your teachers and friends, give the same to every one.
• Remove guilt feelings from your heart. No one is perfect in the world. Everybody will make mistakes. If you have made some mistakes, forget about it and e pleasant every time. Do not brood over of think over your mistakes.
• Dress up well and keep good appearance.
• Never avoid friends. Try to mix with others. Thus think high about yourself. With out self-esteem, your life is not joyful.