Self-worth is the internal sense of being good enough and worthy of love and belonging from others. 

Self-worth is feeling that you are a good person and worthy of respect. 

Self-worth is a deep knowing that you are of value –  loveable, necessary to this life and of incomprehensible worth. 

Just close your eyes and imagine that you are your biggest cheer leader.  You notice all that you really enjoy doing and even good at,  and you appreciate the skills that you have.  Imagine being confident in your own thoughts, opinions and feelings – and confident to listen to the thoughts of others without comparison.  Imagine knowing that you are valuable, no matter your circumstances. And imagine just knowing that you do make a difference to those around you.  Being able to remain present, trusting yourself to navigate all the ups and downs of the natural course of life as you need to.  Imagine just having sheer wonderful faith for each day and for the future.  And because of this, you are diligent in your day.  You take care of yourself and your do that work that need (and want) to do.  All of this is a part of self worth.  

I am raising the ideas around ‘self worth’ this week as it is something that I have been talking about with friends.  The implications around what self worth means are huge in that a healthy self worth in our young will ensure that they make wise decisions for themselves and will give of their best whether at school or in their careers.  They do this because they value themselves, not because they are competing or wanting to prove something.  Self worth results in endeavour, challenging oneself, honouring your time and your interests, and taking care of yourself.  

You can say yes to ‘self worth’ today.  It is an inside job but this means that you need to take the thoughts that are destructive ‘captive’ and keep questioning as to what is really true.  Please know that you are worthy, you have a purpose and I just know that if you start really noticing as to whom you are important to – you will be amazed.  When you are tempted to compare yourself – just stop.  When you belittle yourself – just stop.  When you criticise yourself, devalue yourself, see yourself as ‘less than’ – just STOP.  I think that if you really listened to what you are telling yourself, you would be quite mortified!  

So for today …

Know that you have been born for a purpose;

Know that you are valuable; 

Know that you are you – back yourself;

Acknowledge yourself and all of your endeavours;

Notice when you judge yourself – and forgive yourself for doing so!;

Reflect in what your friends or family or those with whom you interact appreciate about you;

Recall as to what comes easily for you – what do you love doing? what makes you so happy? what would you love to be doing more of? – this is YOU;

What would you say are important values to you?  What matters to you?;

When you pass a mirror – and do look yourself in the eyes – “I’ve got this – I am so able”;

Keep noticing things that you are so grateful for, even when events on the ‘outside’ are so very challenging;

Allow your emotions to come and go – they are a part of your humaness;

Become mindful of the life story that you are telling yourself – remain open to a better version of that story;

“A MAN CANNOT BE COMFORTABLE WITHOUT HIS OWN APPROVAL” – Mark Twain

“REMEMBER ALWAYS THAT YOU NOT ONLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL – YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO BE ONE” – Eleanor Roosevelt 

“MOST OF THE SHADOWS OF THIS LIFE ARE CAUSED BY STANDING IN ONE’S OWN SUNSHINE” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN” – George Eliot

“BE HUMBLED BY THE SMALL BUT VERY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT YOU PLAY”.