Am I worthy?

Image Credit - Jon Rasmussen

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

How true this statement is and what a strong testament to the power of acceptance.  If we truly accept who we are then we reclaim the power to determine our worth.  The only time that someone can "make" us feel inferior is when we allow their opinion of us to be the determining factor in our worth.  Often times, it is not even someone else's stated opinion that we use to determine our own worth.  

As I think about the past few months and people I have encountered, it is far more common that I determine my own worth based on what I think someone else thinks of me.  If you think about that, that means that I am determining my self worth based on what someone else thinks of me...but I am assuming what their opinion of me is, not because of what they have said, but what I think they are thinking.  At that point, I am projecting my self-worth on to them.  Think about it....how many times have you thought, "I know what they are thinking, they don't think I am _________."  Sometimes we think this even though these other people NEVER say a word to us.  I am have been a choral conductor for 15 years.  I regularly stand in front of an audience of 200-300 people....most of which I will never meet or speak to.  However, I know that I have thought and continue to think, "I am not worthy because these people think I am not worthy."  The reality is that I am not worthy because I do not think I am worthy.  I am just using the audience as a convenient scapegoat.  

This is where Cheerful Acceptance comes in.  I need to accept my own worthiness so I can stand in front of that audience and know that I am worthy.

My goal today is to not let other makes me feel inferior...because that is just a reflection of how I feel about myself.  May you have a GREAT day and feel the power of accepting your own worthiness!