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I came across a video this morning called “Dove Real Beauty Sketches”. It essentially shows women describing their own looks to a forensic artist who draws what they describe, and then other people describe the looks of these same women, and the forensic artist then draws what they describe.

Here is the video:

There is a lot to be learned from this, but for me, the biggest question is: “Why is it viewed as so bad to talk good about yourself?”

Why is it that so many people, both men and women, find it ok to say

“He is so talented”

“She is beautiful”

“She has the most gorgeous hair”

“He is so kind and thoughtful”

And yet, they rarely say such things about themselves? Is it because they really don’t feel that way about themselves, or is it because its viewed as “selfish” or “self-centered” to say those things about yourself?

Wouldn’t it be healthy if we could say and feel those things about ourselves? Wouldn’t it be a good thing to be able to use those things to describe ourselves if we were asked to do so?

If I were to say that I think I am talented, strong, handsome, and a pretty nice guy, what does that make you think…really?

Am I stuck up? Am I haughty?

And why can’t I say that about myself and not be viewed as stuck up and haughty?

Why is it that personal compliments must be left to others to express and it is faux pas to say such things about yourself?