my property is superior to yours, or “ I am more eloquent; therefore, my speaking ability is superior to yours.” But you are identical neither with your property nor with your speaking (Epictetus 44).”Taken from Epictetus once again, the above quote helps illustrate an additional use of Rational-Emotive-Behavior-Therapy, is that of improving a person’s over all self-image. Epictetus advises the onlooker to examine his irrational inferences. For example, one cannot identify his importance or superiority merely based on things that are not of him. For the reason that, if the person who places value on these “So called” self-defining processions, no longer processes the objects upon which his validity is defined he will become unhappy; thus, in his mind, he will no longer be valuable. Emphasizing the relationship between REBT and a positive self-image once more, one can refer to an essay on self-esteem written by David Mills. The essay outlines the importance of having a positive self-image but the damaging affects of high self-esteem. For example, a businessman may enjoy self-esteem because he is successful and he treats his family well. A teenage girl boasts self-esteem because she has made straight A’s and made the varsity cheerleading squad. A politician may feel self-esteem because he has won a lopsided victory in the last election. No matter what the situation, people, nearly always, rate or esteem themselves based on achievements (Mills 2). This is a dangerous and irrational thought pattern because it leads to the belief that self-esteem must be earned and reinforced though future successes. A person will begin to believe the falsity, if he can gloriously achieve X or Y in a lifetime, then he will forever rid himself of all feelings of inadequacy (Mills 2). This is simply propaganda people uncover within themselves. For instance, a person can recall his greatest three accomplishments over...
