Self-worth can be damaged when we face difficulties and “failures”. I put failures in quotation marks because I think every “failure” is an opportunity in disguise. I did not always think like this so I understand how hard it is for my clients to recognize it. When things do not work out the way we expect them to, they create doubt. Doubt is very debilitating.
Doubt the doubt
The whole Be Happy in LIFE program is meant to help a person find his/her own self worth. The story of the $20 bill is a great tool to shift our focus and remove any doubt in our self worth. It also works like magic with kids.
A well-known speaker started his seminar by holding up a $20 bill in a room of 200 people.
He asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?”
Hands started going up.
He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you, but first, let me do this”, and he proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, “Who still wants it?”
Still the hands went up in the air.
“Well”, he replied, “What if I do this?” and he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
“Now, who still wants it?”
Still the hands went into the air.
“How come you still want it?” he asked.
“It is still worth $20”, came the answer.
“Many times in our lives” he continued, “We are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by who we are.”
You are special – never forget it!
Every time you feel down, think of yourself as a crumpled, dirty, even torn $20 note. You have value.
Be Happy!
Ronit
