Ever victorious- this is the motto of self-confidence. Self-confidence is the key to success in any venture. Difficulties and obstacles are its playmates and it cuts through every adversity on its triumphant march to the goal. The self-confident never takes defeat, never tires, and never stops. He relies on his own endeavor, not on others favor. He bows only before the Providence, not before his weaknesses and frailties. The self-confident has full and unwavering faith in his soul-power. He is a believer in the profound rishimantra "Suddhosi, Buddhosi, Niranjanosi". Always conscious of the divine grace he remains humble even at the acme of success; and in the darkest moments of failure, keeps aloft the bright flame of unwavering faith in his ultimate success. A person lacking in self-confidence is unable to digest success and power; his ego becomes bloated and he starts looking down upon others as inferiors and small. But inside, he remains weak and insecure and is unable to face failure with fortitude. He sinks to the abyss of depression in failure and is even driven at times to the cowardly acts of suicide. The self-confident is humble and regards success not solely a result of his own endeavor but as a gift of divine grace. With each struggle made in the path of success, he gains new experience and new strength. Through these struggles, there is an enrichment and development of virtues in him; while failures help him identify and remedy the shortcomings. The self-confident never monopolizes the fruits of his success for his own personal benefit but shares it with others, and by his well-earned power and prosperity serves the needy. The self-confident does not have the tendency to acquire fame and success by any unworthy means, nor does he arrogate to himself what is due to others. The quality of self-confidence develops on the strength of ones own beliefs and thoughts. We will become what we think of ourselves. It is for us to make a choice between cowardice and bravery, brilliance and dullness, ash and ember. The self-confident chooses the best and the highest of options and proceeds along that line; his footprints act as navigational aids for others. He turns adverse circumstances to his favor and creates a beautiful and conducive atmosphere around him. In contrast, the feeble-minded only daydreams and makes castles in the air. He lacks even normal enthusiasm for work, not to speak of firm determination, the quality which makes even the toughest of the tasks of the self-confident smooth and "half-done" at the outset. The self-confident persons general conduct, too, is amiable and endearing. Self-confidence is a virtue, which impacts all three dimensions of personality - thought, conduct and character. Intensity of faith in the goal orients our whole thinking and imagination towards that. The self-confident fixes the goal, thinks about it day and night, chalks out a plan of action and makes every possible effort to execute the same. This whole process is so intense and deep that the sanskaras and instincts, which are rooted firmly in the depths of the unconscious in the form of character, begin to change and mould themselves accordingly.

- courtesy Akhand Jyoti