The term "self image" means different things to different people. Many times it is used synonymously with "self esteem." Within the context of this dialogue, the two terms will not be treated as synonyms. Some people try to add a third term, "self worth" synonymously. I won't even address this phraseology, as I already expressed that your self worth is absolutely incalculable thus making the term absurd.
Self-image will be considered as your internal impression of your whole self, while self-esteem will be used to describe how you see yourself in relation to other people's opinion. Both belong to you, both are in your control, yet by its very nature, we tend to give up our control over our self esteem. It depends both on your comparison with others and with other's opinion of you. Your reputation has a very intimate relationship with your self esteem. Your desire to "keep up with the Jones'" is part of your self esteem. The philosophy behind Finding Your Inner Passion suggests that your self esteem is a drastically overrated part of your personality. It is your self image which is all important, and it is this part of your total self that will receive our attention.
Unlike your self esteem, your self image is limitless. Your self esteem is made up of our perception and judgement of all our past experiences, relationships, successes, and failures. It is the end product of our reaction to all the external factors in our life. Self esteem begins now and works backward through our entire history. On the other hand, our self image not only begins now, it resides entirely within now. It is not only able to move backward through our history, but can also move forward into the future. It is not only a measure of our insight into our past, but holds within it our ability for the attainment of present and future fulfillment. All the possibilities which lie ahead us are partner to our self image; therefore, let us work toward a self image which knows no limits. Our self image has the power to change history and create the future. If we perceive another that another person does us wrong, our self image has the power to realize that the wrong doing was not our action, but that of the other person. We do not have to accept it as part of our past. I'm not suggesting the suppression of painful events; far from it. If we refuse to acknowledge their existence, we relinquish control to the event itself or to the person or persons responsible for the event. This would be more accurately described as a function of our self esteem. Our self image has the power to take control by admitting fully the occurrences that plague us. In doing so we may come to the realization that we are not the force behind these events and therefore the events are not accurate portrayals of our true self. Whenever we find ourselves victimized, it is often hard to see through the pain. We fail to understand why these things happen. Reality dictates that we can only truly deal with what goes on inside ourselves. So when there is blame to be dealt, far too often this idea causes to erroneously blame ourselves. This same reality holds in its hands the possibility for us to exonerate us from all blame. When dealing with the self image, we are in fact the judge, jury, and executioner. Far too often we allow the ax to fall on ourselves without realizing that we are not the defendant in most cases. We have the power to dismiss all charges. Those who victimize us are a part of this same reality, and within them court is also in session. Allow them to pass the judgement, you have a life to live.

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