The phrase "affirm oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing self-assertion, self-acceptance, or the act of recognizing one's own worth or identity.
Example: "In therapy, it is important to learn how to affirm oneself in order to build self-esteem and confidence."
Alternatives: "validate oneself" or "assert oneself".
As an African medical student supporting her studies in Rome by housecleaning for an expatriate British pianist (David Thewlis), Ms. Newton conveyed, in a single slow twist of her fingers across her lips, as much fascination with an alien culture, as much awareness of the temptations of both losing and affirming oneself through desire, as the passionate declarations of Mr. Thewlis's character.
At the very least, the tendency of the human brain to view the world from a self-centered perspective should render suspect any beliefs that affirm the objective superiority of oneself and one's own group, tribe, nation, etc.
Each individual's existence as an autonomous being must constantly be re-affirmed through the story one tells oneself, and the greatest danger is the possibility of losing one's personal narrative and becoming completely empty inside.
Researchers have identified several broadly defined behaviors that influence whether leaders are perceived that way.4 These behaviors include knowing oneself, appreciating one's constituents, affirming shared values, developing new capabilities, serving a purpose, and sustaining hope.
One suggests that people who are similar to oneself are more positively reinforcing because they affirm one's own viewpoint (Byrne, 1971); the other suggests that we use our own viewpoint as an anchor to determine what might be good behaviour, then use this value judgement to determine whether or not another person is likely to be a trustworthy friend (Kaplan & Anderson, 1973).
One gets invited to those meetings only if one blindly affirms the right of the US to do whatever it wants, and then devotes oneself to the pragmatic question of how that unfettered license can best be exploited to promote national interests.
In other words, he was unable to give a persuasive account of the nexus between sentient being and Other Power, and appears finally to affirm anew the efficacy of human action, as either recitation of the name of Amida or entrusting of oneself to Amida's vow, or as a combination of both.
"One must show oneself deserving," he said.
"Affirm the relationship".
