Self-worth is not self-esteem.
Self-esteem is derived from our abilities, accomplishments, social status, and popularity at any given point in time. We bolster our self-esteem by achieving perceived successes, and our self-esteem goes up and down depending on how we’re feeling about various aspects of our lives. Self-worth is distinct from our abilities and accomplishments.
It’s not comparative in nature, it is innate. It’s not something that we can have more or less of. Unconditional self-worth is the sense that we deserve to be alive, loved and cared for.
To exist.. to just “ be”.
Many people today find themselves struggling with a deep sense of unworthiness. there are many outside factors that cause us to feel this way. Ads tell us that we need to buy things to be loved, accepted and successful. The modern educational system teaches us that our worthiness is based on our grades and test scores. We surmise that our families will love us more if we make the honor roll or the varsity team. And, as social media invades our lives, we start to feel that our worthiness is based on the number of followers we have and likes we get.
Inevitably we begin to tie our self-worth to our accomplishments and possessions. And as soon as we fail or lose approval, we experience low self-worth. Unconditional self-worth is different. It is immune to self-criticism. It is an antidote for depression, anxiety and substance abuse. We need to develop a worth that persists even when life does not go as planned.
So what keeps so many of us from unconditional self-worth? Some people might feel that accepting themselves as worthy appears arrogant. What would you find the courage to do if you knew you were worthy? Would we dare to dream if our self-worth wasn’t at stake? What would you stop doing if you didn’t feel the need to prove yourself worthy? I believe people would dare to do amazing things. It’s a vision within us all that we can dare to make real.
Wayne and Garth may not have felt worthy.. but we can and should.
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