How to Be a True Friend to the World

Who is in a position to be your greatest enemy? Bad bosses or bad employees? Rotten neighbors? Terrorists? Unfriendly drivers on the freeway? Competitors?

Actually, none of them.

Your greatest potential enemy is you.

No one can ruin your life like you can. No one can pull the plug on your career as effectively as you. No one can wreck your marriage like you.

For example, when you criticize yourself or hate yourself, you become your own worst enemy.

In “Self Analysis,” L. Ron Hubbard writes,

“Probably the most neglected friend you have is you. And yet every man, before he can be a true friend to the world, must first become a friend to himself.”

When you have a high opinion of yourself, you are less afraid. You have confidence. You can make progress.

As a good friend to yourself, you stop doubting yourself. You like yourself. You expect you will succeed.

When times get tough, you can rely on yourself. When the whole world seems to oppose you, you will have at least one supporter. Even when your body stops working, you will still have a loyal friend with you.

Recommendations

To become a true friend to yourself, first set a goal to become your own best friend.

With your goal in mind, you can then change a few attitudes. For example, if you beat yourself up for something you did wrong in the past, knock it off. You did what you thought was right at the time. Forgive yourself, decide to never do it again and move on.

If you criticize yourself, maybe someone made you believe these criticisms. Stop agreeing with this person.

At least be fair to yourself. For every critical thought you have about yourself, balance the scales with a positive thought. Why not compliment yourself from time to time?

Be kind to yourself. Buy yourself a gift. Pat yourself on the back.

Final Thought

If you don’t like yourself, you may not have many friends. How can you expect people to like you if you don’t like you?

Yet as soon as you are a true friend to yourself, you will find it easy to have many friendships and can become a true friend to the world.

A related TipsForSuccess article is “How to Love Yourself.”