True Effort Lies in Maintaining Inner Self Respect

True effort lies in maintaining inner self-respect. When there is no self-respect it becomes difficult to recognize and use one's own potentials. So whatever little effort is put is only to show off to others and to seek their approval. So this further increases such dependency on others. Slowly all effort put in is only to prove to others and hardly any effort is put in for the self. So such effort doesn't contribute to real progress. When there is an awareness of our inner potentials and capabilities, and we are in our state of self-respect, we are able to use them for our own progress. As there is the satisfaction of our progress, there is no dependency on the others for approval or encouragement. We can make effort with our inner freedom. There is lightness and enjoyment in whatever we set out to do, and we find quick and easy change.

~ Brahma Kumaris, Mt Abu