Earlier this week at work I was called a not so pleasant name by a parent. I normally don't let the opinions of others affect me but for some reason this really stung. So I was thinking to myself, why do we put our self-worth into the hands of others? Why are people so quick to tear others down and spit out words like stupid, worthless, ugly, fat, ect. without thinking twice about it. On the flip side we are also some of our biggest critics. We see ourselves only for our mistakes and compare ourselves to others. I could sit here and preach to you about how we shouldn't let the opinions of others define us but its not that easy. I have been called some pretty horrific names that have made me question my entire existence and it has taken years for me to realize my worth. I let people in my life that didn't deserve to be there simply because I craved the feeling of being wanted.
Trying to find your self-worth and identity as a young adult is difficult. There always seems to be someone or something knocking you down. We see people on campus with the name brand clothes you wish you had or that student who seems to never get anything lower than an A, involved in every student organiation humanly possible, holding leader positions whilst making it look effortlessly. The truth is everyone is struggling, whether they show it or not. There will be times when people just don't like you for whatever reason. I have even had people dislike me because I was too "happy". Yeah, that's a thing. You just aren't going to click with everyone but that doesn't say anything about you as a person.
If there is one thing I have learned throughout my 23 years is that being self-reliant is essential. I can now honestly say that I now love myself. I love my over the top sunny disposition that everyone finds annoying. I love my weird and sometimes immature quirks. I love my silly personality. I love the compassion I have for people. However, I will never settle for less than what I deserve. We are worth far more than we give ourselves credit. You are worth far more than what you think. When the person you like leaves, you probably think its was your fault or there was something wrong with you. If someone doesn't want to be in your life then that is their problem. You don't need to make room for people who aren't willing to make room for you. You don't need that person who only wants you when its convenient for them. See your worth through your own eyes and not someone else, know your worth even if someone else doesn't.
