There is a parable I often use, that I call The Tale of Two Brothers.
Two brothers are born to two parents under one roof. While they both display similar personalities, things begin to change as they both start attending school.
The older brother is quickly embraced by all. His teachers all tell him that he will achieve great things once he is older, his classmates all laugh at his jokes and fight over who gets to spend the most ammount time with him. During his high school years, girls giggle in his presence and slip romantic messages into his locker.
The younger brother, however, finds himself rejected from the moment he first walks through the door. His teacher all tell him that he will never ammount to anything in life, his classmates all call him a "loser" and take every opportunity to make him feel guilty for existing. At lunch, no-one wants to spend time with him, because he happens to be "ugly and weird." During his high school years, girls "ask him out" as a joke and then point and laugh at him.
Time moves on, and both brothers eventually move out. The older brother, now a rich and successful CEO, decides to have his lunch break at a local restaurant. On his way there, he spots a disheveled, raggedy man begging for spare change in the middle of the sidewalk. Upon closer inspection, he recognizes him as his estranged sibling. "Long time, no see!" he says, with a smile on his face. "You know, you really should look more confident in yourself. No wonder you're in this situation, you're always so negative!"
How anyone expects us to conjure confidence and self-love out of thin air is beond me. Everyone needs something to cling to.
