Why do we tenaciously protect beliefs that undermine our self-respect? Remember that our third element in the definition of self-respect is

“… believe to be true about ourselves.”

We also discussed that by their very definition, “truths” are difficult to change. If someone should tell us that the world is flat, we would quickly dismiss their belief because it is not “true.”

“Truths” are like anchors. They hold us in place; give us substance, even when they make us unhappy. To give up a “truth” is to be set adrift into uncharted water. It can be scary to set sail for an unseen land, even with the promise of a better life.