amour propre (noun) – a sense of one’s own worth; self-respect
Do you have a good sense of your own worth? Are you critical or generous with your assessment? Do you give yourself the benefit of the doubt? Can you approach your self-evaluation more impeccably? Can you recognize that you are trying your best? If so, what will it take to move your best to an improved level today? What is at least one thing that you can do, practice, research, and/or study today to make your life more valuable? Build your worth up from the inside out. I know I said that before, yet it bears repeating.
True self-worth isn’t built on what people declare about you, but on what you demonstrate to yourself.
-Jay Shetty
I was very amused earlier this week when I was suddenly stopped in my tracks while listening to a book summary. One of the key points had a title of “Your worth isn’t in the mirror.” How many of us need to hear that and possibly put it on repeat? Your authentic worth does not appear in a physical or visual reflection. True and valuable worth exists on the inside. You see it through reflections of character and deeds. Indeed, it is not some surface-level quality. Think of the story of Aladdin. Was the greatest, most worthwhile treasure just inside the entrance to the Cave of Wonders? No. It was in the depths, at the central core of it all. Where should you start looking next for your diamond in the rough?
Remember, your worth is not the number on the scales or how you look in the mirror. It’s about understanding that your body is strong, capable, and deserving of love just as it is.
-Timothy Ferriss
We do not fix ourselves by wishing away what is. We fix ourselves by taking a clear look at the current state of things. Then, we begin to focus in on one or two things to work on. Instantaneous results are either fallacies or short-lived. Each day may get tougher than the last, but, if you are doing your best, then you are proving your worth. It is literally impossible for us to fix everything in one day. Anything worthwhile should not be accessed via a shortcut anyway. The way to self-worth is persistent and aware effort. Eventually, you can look back and see all the strides that you made. Feel your worth. Work for and with your worth. Trust me please. If you start, it will prove worthwhile.
At the end it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.
-Denzel Washington
Worth is not meant to be self-contained. Self-worth is your well of energy to draw upon in order to help yourself and those around you. If you do not have or feel much self-worth, then you will not have or feel as much willingness to help others. We can best help others by first helping ourselves. It is not selfish. It is a worthy act of self-love.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.