"A person who doubts himself is like a man who would enlist in the ranks of his enemies and bear arms against himself." - Alexandre Dumas

Very interesting quote. I think about how much of my life has been spent doubting myself. This really is 'self-defeatist' -- who needs enemies when you are your own worst enemy. I am just thinking about how different life would be from the perspective of: I believe in myself and my decisions/choices -- even if they are or prove to be wrong. Not that you couldn't change your mind or even admit your wrong-ness, but just start from the premise: I BELIEVE IN MYSELF...come hell or high water.

I wonder where this "self-doubt" originates. I certainly see it in my family of origin. I see it in my culture and in the greater culture(s) around me. It seems to be inculcated from a young age. It also seems to be a major component of religion - at least the major Western religions.

And self-doubt, I postulate, is not the same as self-inquiry or self-examination or even generalized doubt. This really is a poison dart to one's own heart and sould. How much of our time is spent sabotaging, or minimizing, or denying who were are, what we want, what we really truly think. Its absolutely rampant. And the more we do it individually, the more we impose this same "self-doubt" onto others. In fact, when meet people who "seem" to not suffer this same angst, we think of them as "arrogant" or "cocky" or "to big for his/her britches" -- which isn't to say that there are plenty of people who truly are that. But be self-assured or self-believing does not automatically translate or have to translate into arrogant.

To believe in oneself, to endorse one's own beliefs/opinions/choices/points-of-view, is to be on your own side, to watch your own back, to be YOURSELF. Not something that is always encouraged or endorsed in this mass consumer-based culture of conformity.