when we speak about personal worth

 

Most of us spend the better part of our lives creating and validating our worthiness or our value in the world by what is outside of us. Often, when we speak about personal worth, the defining aspects that come to mind are externals: career, education, income, luxury items, status, etc… If I say, “I’m Joe, I live in New York, I am a therapist, and I have a car,” what does that tell you about who I am? It tells you I pay too much in rent, have trouble finding parking, and had a high tolerance for long papers and four-hour exams. Now, if I say, “I’m and I am compassionate, loving, sensitive, and loyal,” that gives you a more intimate view of who I am. I am defining myself by what is within me, not outside of me. Internal validation is the descriptive essence of our soul.