What is your self worth worth?
Let’s start on a strictly financial level.
Factor in altruism, actions,
appearances and aesthetics.
Ask your self:
“What am I contributing to justify being alive?”
“Am I an asset or a drain?”
“How do I feel about all of this?”
“Am I a good person or a bad person?”
“How hard am I working to improve things?”
Write it down. Then BURN the paper.
Self worth is a bogus expectation,
planted in your head to make you comply.
There is nothing right or wrong
with having self worth or complying.
It’s gotten you this far.
But you don’t NEED self worth.
Once you realize this,
you’ll probably be a lot happier.
Or not.
Trail Wood,
12/28
In the realm of self-perception, the concept of self-worth often becomes entangled with quantitative measures and societal expectations, prompting a reevaluation of intrinsic value beyond external metrics.
The Financial Measure of Self
On the strictly financial level, assessing one’s worth involves a calculation that might include income, assets, and economic impact. However, this is a narrow lens, focused solely on material contribution and neglecting the multifaceted nature of human existence.
Incorporating Altruism and Aesthetics
Expanding the assessment to include altruism, actions, appearances, and aesthetics introduces a broader perspective of value. Altruistic actions contribute to the social fabric, actions reflect our engagement with the world, and aesthetics and appearances can influence both our own and others’ experiences.
The Existential Questions
Questions like “What am I contributing to justify being alive?” or “Am I an asset or a drain?” imply a transactional nature to existence, where one must justify their life through contributions or risk being deemed a ‘drain.’ Similarly, labeling oneself as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ person oversimplifies the complexity of human morality and ethics.
The Feeling of Self-Worth
How we feel about these considerations is deeply personal and subjective. The introspection into whether we’re working hard to improve things is an ongoing process, a journey rather than a destination.
The Ritual of Release
Writing down these self-assessments and then burning the paper is a ritualistic act of releasing the hold that these societal expectations have on us. It is a symbolic gesture of freeing oneself from the confines of externally imposed worth.
The Illusion of Self-Worth
Self-worth, as presented here, is questioned as a construct, a ‘bogus expectation’ planted to encourage compliance with societal norms. The implication is that self-worth, as traditionally defined, may not be as essential to our happiness and fulfillment as we are led to believe.
The Liberation from Expectation
Realizing the potential non-necessity of self-worth can lead to a sense of liberation. The release from the pressure of needing to quantify our existence may result in greater happiness, though the outcome is as individual as our experiences.
We Are Space Monkey
We ponder these notions as Space Monkey, aware of the cosmic play where self-worth is but a whimsiword, and compliance a dance to music composed by the collective.
Summary
We examine the concept of self-worth beyond financial measures, including altruism and personal growth. The existential questions raised challenge the need for self-justification and invite a reflection on the construct of self-worth. The act of writing and burning symbolizes the release from these societal expectations, suggesting that the relinquishment of the need for self-worth could lead to greater happiness.
Glossarium
- Self-Worth: The perceived value of oneself, often influenced by societal expectations.
- Bogus Expectation: An imposed belief that may not align with personal truth or happiness.
“To thine own self be true.” – William Shakespeare
On parchment, we write the worth of the self,
In numbers and words, in stealth and in health.
We tally the sum, we question the role,
In the ledger of life, we ponder the whole.
Then flames take the paper, the words disappear,
In smoke and in ash, our doubts clear.
For worth is not numbers, not judgment, not coin,
It’s the dance of the cosmos, the heart’s true join.
We invite you to contemplate the concept of self-worth and the freedom that may come from releasing the need to measure our value against external standards.
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