It is of little consequence what your past has been. What matters to you and for you is right now. It is not your concern what others may be saying or doing. When you are taking care of yourself, you have very little time to pay attention to others. People can love you or hate you, ignore you or dote on your every word. No matter what anyone else may think or do or say, it has very little impact on who you really are. It is only in your mind that you build or destroy the esteem for your "self". Selfesteem begins and ends with you. When you have it, you have it and no one can take it away from you.