How essential is self-belief?

Who hasn't heard or read innumerable new-age, old-age and whatever-age gurus, self professed experts about the importance of self-belief? Everyone has, am sure at some point in time, paused and wondered, 'what is self-belief?'

I have for sure. I've always wondered, what is self-belief? I mean, how does it feel to have or not have one? How does one even recognize if one is the possessor of such attribute metnioned hereabove?

For instance, does it feel like a lump in the throat when you see a mushy movie or bid a dear friend adieu at the airport or at any terminus? Does it feel like the thump in your heart when you see his dimpled smile or recognize her perfume from among the many splendored and doused bodies that glide through the shopping mall? Would it come announcing itself, saying, 'Knock, knock, anybody home? I'm this homeless stranger called SB and was wondering if you'd be kind enough to shelter me till such time I'm driven out by self-defeating thoughts?' What is its garb and how heavy or light is it? Is it coloured like a rainbow?

Nope. I don't have an answer. I believe it's like a mother-child relationship. Even if the mother has not set eyes on her child for years together, when she sees her child, she just knows and senses it. It's called instinct. SB and self are like that relationship. When you have it you know (I guess).

In case you have it, and know what it feels like, do drop in a line.

Till such time, I'll go look for it, cause Forgive me O Lord, for I know not what to seek!