Is your self-esteem, on the rocky side

In a picturesque land hidden behind the misty peaks of the Izera Mountains, in a quiet valley where streams sang old songs and the wind whispered secrets through the crowns of ancient oaks, lived a young girl named Hania. Her eyes were the color of morning dew on a spiderweb, and her hair resembled wildflowers in the summer sun. Hania felt a longing in her heart, a vague desire for something more, though she couldn't quite name the feeling. Sometimes she would gaze at the distant, sunlit peaks and dream of traveling, of discovering her place in the grand tapestry of life.

Hania's village, though peaceful and full of warm-hearted people, seemed to drift in a timeless stagnation. The days passed similarly, marked by the rhythm of work in the fields and evening stories by the firelight. Hania felt herself drifting, like a small boat without a rudder on a calm lake.

One day, during a walk in the forest, Hania stumbled upon an old, abandoned sanctuary hidden among the lush greenery. Inside, on the stone floor, lay an open book with pages yellowed by time. Gently, she picked it up and began to read. The words, though simple, seemed to resonate with the depths of her soul. They spoke of finding one's purpose, of the values that give life meaning, of the needs that cry out to be met, and of the passions that ignite an inner fire.

One sentence in particular stuck in her memory: "Are you wandering through life without a compass, hoping to find happiness, health, and prosperity?" This question touched her as deeply as if someone had looked directly into her heart. Hania realized that her longing was precisely the lack of this compass, her own "true north."

With enthusiasm, she began to write down her thoughts on a piece of bark she found. "What is my purpose?" she wrote with a trembling hand. Initially, her mind was blank, but gradually images began to appear: the smiles of people she had helped, the joy she felt creating simple wood carvings, the sense of unity with the nature around her. She understood that her purpose didn't have to be one grand, monumental task, but rather the sum of small, authentic actions that brought joy to herself and others.

Next, she considered her values. Security? Yes, it was important, but not the most important. Freedom – the feeling of liberty in making decisions and discovering the world – resonated with her much more strongly. Family and friends were invaluable to her, her bedrock. Spiritual development, though not yet fully understood, sparked her curiosity. And learning, the desire to know new things, made her eyes shine. She wrote down her top five values, feeling as if her inner landscape was becoming clearer with each word.

She began to look at her needs. She needed acceptance, not to boost her ego, but to feel part of a community. She needed fairness and truth in her relationships with others. She needed space to create and express herself. And, deep in her heart, she longed to be loved for who she was. Realizing these needs was like discovering missing pieces of a puzzle.

Her passions had always been present in her life, though sometimes hidden beneath the daily routine. She loved watching birds, listening to the rustling of the forest, creating small works of art from nothing. These sparks of joy were like signposts, indicating what truly brought her pleasure. She understood that she should not suppress them but nurture them like the most precious flowers.

Hania began to live "from the inside out." She increasingly found time for solitary walks in the forest, for listening to the silence, for observing the changing seasons. She would sit by the stream and close her eyes, letting the soothing sound of the water calm her thoughts. She felt her inner wisdom awakening, like a quiet voice in her heart becoming clearer and clearer.

She began to recognize her strengths. She was observant, able to see beauty in the smallest details. She had a gift for storytelling; her words painted vivid pictures in the listeners' imaginations. She was also incredibly hardworking and had skillful hands that could create beautiful and useful objects. She started sharing her talents with others – telling magical tales to children, helping neighbors with small repairs, creating decorations that brought joy to their daily lives.

By sharing herself, Hania discovered a deep sense of connection with others. When she was true to herself, when she lived according to her purpose and shared her gifts, she felt she was giving a part of her soul to the world. The smiles of gratitude, the warm words of appreciation – these were rewards more precious than all the treasures in the world. She was particularly moved by the eyes of strangers who looked with admiration at her work or listened to her stories. Then she felt that her existence had true meaning.

Hania understood that working on oneself, though sometimes difficult and demanding, is the most valuable journey one can undertake. It is not confined to the walls of a house or a field but takes place in the depths of our heart and mind. True change begins within us, with the decision to become a better version of ourselves.

From that day on, Hania was no longer a girl drifting aimlessly. She had her compass, her values, her needs, her passions, and her strengths. She walked through life with greater confidence and joy, and her inner light illuminated the paths of others. And in the quiet valley behind the misty peaks of the Izera Mountains, a story blossomed about how finding oneself can transform an ordinary life into an extraordinary journey.