“Protect your value for all its worth”

Marc Leder

There are many things we use to measure our level of value and worth in the world. Our physical and sexual attraction, body shape, health status, how we dress and what we wear, our level of education, socioeconomic status, career path, the car we drive or the neighborhood we live in. And lastly, our children. The schools they go to, the talents they possess, etc.

We can use any and all these things to send a message to the world. I am worthy. I have value. I am special. I matter. See me. Respect me. Like me. Love me. Cherish me. Accept me. Approve of me.

But what if you had none of the societal attributes we use to determine worth? Would you still be worthy? Would you still have value? I’ve been doing a lot of shadow work lately. Going within and facing the parts of myself that have been hidden, buried, and neglected. The forgotten, lost “self”. The part of me that has been socialized and parented to feel that I must earn love, acceptance, and approval by attaining and reaching certain heights. I must look a certain way, drive a certain car, have certain accomplishments, live by a certain set of standards and then maybe, just maybe I will be valued and loved.

First, I had to ask myself, “Why do I need anyone’s approval, love or acceptance?” I realized I was searching to belong to a world that was just as messed up as I was, if not more. I was looking for love and approval from loved ones, friends, and a society that didn’t even love and approve of themselves. And more than that, I didn’t need THEIR approval. I was worthy and had great value whether anyone acknowledged it or not. I did not need anyone’s approval or permission to be worthy.

“Forgive yourself for every single time you forgot your worth” Reyna Biddy

I began to see my value by the inherent intangibles that make me proud of who I am. My resilience, intensity, grace, and compassion. My ability to remain hopeful and positive in the midst of despair. My courage to seek my soul essence. My deeply intuitive connection to the spiritual world. My muthafuckin grit! My commitment to present myself to the world as the sacred gift that I am. And my heart that is just brimming with love to pour out.

“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness” Brene Brown

If I never get another degree, make a million dollars, be deemed to be attractive or stylish, I am worthy of love. I have undeniable value. I am important and special. I love and approve of myself.

Don’t overburden yourself, stress yourself out, or devalue who you are based on a set of standards that could never fully define how valuable you truly are. Seek your highest truth. Do so with pure love. You have infinite worth.

“I know my worth. I’ve paid dearly for every ounce of it” Alfa