Bona fide self-regard is not a choice, not a birthright, not a laurel I can rest upon.
The real thing cannot be stolen, bestowed, bought, or sold (although the market for bogus varieties is booming).
More than “pride” in my talents and accomplishments, genuine self-respect includes a healthy recognition of my shortcomings… and the stomach to put my virtues to the test in a never-ending process suffused with paradox… “complete” to the extent that I recognize my profound incompleteness… “smart” to the extent that I know how stupid I can be… and “satisfied” with nothing less than knowing I can always do better, no matter how much I have already grown.
