What are You Worth?

What are you worth? Are you worth what’s in your bank account? Your 401K? Are you worth the sum of everything you've ever been told about yourself? I feel like sharing this because I think so many people, especially young ladies and women for some reason, are afraid of knowing their value, their worth.

           

Some time ago I wrote about being so much more than a number; a number on a scale, a social security number, a bank account number, a test score, etc. You get the point. We are so much more. Deep down in our core I truly believe we are so much more, but why are so many of us afraid of accepting that? Or at least afraid to acknowledge it?

           

Being raised in the south (insert a “woohoo!”) I was raised very proper. I was raised to deflect and brush off too many compliments lest I look vain. Most people do. Unfortunately this often comes across as being self-debasing, devaluing, and unloving. Recently I had a conversation with someone that began with me saying , “Don’t doubt for one second that I know my worth, my value…” and it felt really good to say but I want to say to my daughter, my son, my sweet young thing I am so humbly mentoring, and everyone else who has a hard time being able to see your worth, what it means and what it does not.

           

When you know what you are worth, your value, you know that you were created like no other human being on the entire planet. You know that you deserve to be respected for your mind, your race, your religious and spiritual beliefs, your flaws, your sense of humor as quirky as it may be, and what makes you tick. When you know your worth you value yourself; you value your body and take care of it and expect others to value it as well. You take care of yourself and put yourself together; not because of what others will think, but because it makes you feel good.

           

I read a quote the other day that tickled me, “Never go out in sweats because you may run into an ex or an enemy”. I do believe in putting yourself together for a few reasons, 1) I never want my children or my significant other to be embarrassed of me 2) I may run into my past 3) I may run into a future 4) A little lip gloss and cute shoes can go a long way in making a girl feel really awesome!

           

Anyway, back to our worth…  When you know your worth you don’t allow others to treat you like an option. You keep your head high in the face of adversity, but also allow yourself to feel sadness, anger, and hurt because being human is how we were created. Abusing or using others is never ok, however because you see the value in others and respect that as well.

                       

Knowing that you have value and great worth never means that you are better than anyone. It only means that you know your own story, have walked your own journey, cried your own tears, and awakened to the sound of your own laughter to learn that you are beautiful and you see the beauty in others and want to learn about their journey as well. It is loving differences, diversity, and seeing the hope where others see hopelessness.  I truly believe that when you learn who you are and see yourself for what God has created you, well, first of all you see that He has a serious sense of humor, but you also see others as His as well. You see everyone and everything as being “on purpose” and nothing as a mistake or coincidence.

            When you truly come into yourself you have a gate instead of walls. You lovingly let people into your lives and if they don’t value you for who you are, you lovingly let them leave.  And sometimes you realize you have made the mistake of not valuing others as well and you realize you still have a lot to learn, which is what makes this all so beautiful. Isn't all of life a process?

            So, if someone compliments you for your clothes, hair, shoes, say “Thank you” and then hush (by the way that’s a great way to learn how to accept compliments).  You don’t have to tell them that you got them at a bargain basement sale or argue that you would look better but “oh, for the humidity!” You know your worth. You were created like no other. And as my son reminded me not too long ago, “Mom, He knows how many hairs are on your head. You were created on purpose”. YOU were created on purpose. Your worth? When you know it, realize it, cherish it, and live it, others will see it in you as well. Make sure you see theirs.

On purpose,

Becky

June 29, 2014