You wake up in the morning and, slowly but surely, you begin your day. You look around to examine your surroundings and will most likely head to the restroom to prepare yourself for what the day has in store for you. It’s at that moment that you’ll run across the most important person in your life: yourself. You’re re-acquainted with yourself every time you gaze into the mirror and see what the majority of people see on a daily basis. But only you and handful of others know the real you and how important he or she is. I say this not out of means of narcissism or vanity, but rather as an observation of how the most critical aspects of your life begin with you. It’s about the importance of self-respect, self-esteem, and realizing and understanding one’s self worth. As I am constantly on the pursuit of happiness, I find it important to remain happy during this pursuit. A Catch 22 I know, but the evidence is more than supporting. Inner strength and potential often rises to the surface when a positive approach is taken in life and this positivity starts with how you view yourself. Am I a good person? Do I have the strength to make any kind of difference in the world around me? Am I attractive? Am I smart? Do I have the qualities that I’ve worked for over the years? These are questions that are asked from time to time and to truly move forward in life, it requires the confidence to affirm the good personal qualities that lie within you. It also takes a strong introspection to understand not only the strong qualities, but also the weak ones that could use improvement. By honing one’s qualities towards their prime and appreciating the qualities that stand out for the better, you’ll see that you are an awesome individual and will come to respect the person that is yourself. While we’re on the subject of respect, you have to treat yourself with the most of it. Life can be harsh and cruel if you don’t show yourself the respect it deserves. The standards on how you carry yourself are important with regards to this. Good health (mentally, physically, and emotionally), a strong sense of pride, a humble heart, and an assertive nature, these things characterize the respect the man in mirror is deserving of. Once you respect that person, others will come to respect it as well. And who knows, maybe others might make the investment of discovering your worth. I know it’s a necessity that you discover it first. Understanding your own worth means constantly testing the limitations that are set over the course of time. It means pushing yourself as far as you can go can go and, upon reflection, valuing the road behind you in order to tackle the road ahead. The blood, sweat, and tears sacrificed make up the worth that you yourself carry within. While there are those in this life that you love and are more than willing to protect, you will be unable to do so without loving yourself first. For as they stand as the 3 Kings, they must receive homage in order for their sovereign rule to forever prosper.