Worthiness
In the mid to late seventies, there was a television show airing called “The Six Million Dollar Man.” It was about an astronaut named Steve Austin, played by Lee Majors, who was seriously injured when his spaceship crashed. He underwent a government-sanctioned surgery at considerable expense, hence the title. He was rebuilt and several of his body parts were replaced with machine parts, making him cyborglike. He had superhuman strength and speed and other powers which made him unbelievably valuable in crime fighting. He was worth a lot!
On the other hand, I was born on an Air Force Base in Massachusetts at a whopping cost of $6 charged to my parents. My dad kept the receipt for a long time and often jokingly said he was going to return me for a refund. If we were to compare “worth”, primarily “self-worth”, between Steve Austin and myself, based solely on cost to build in contrast to my birth cost, Mr. Austin’s self-worth would win. However, is that the best way to define self-worth?
Measuring self-worth is deeply personal and can vary from one person to another. While society often focuses on external markers—like achievements, wealth, or status—it is important to recognize that self-worth is more nuanced and should be based on internal values. Here are some approaches you might consider:
Self-Acceptance: Recognize and accept all parts of who you are, including strengths, flaws, and everything in between. Embrace your uniqueness rather than comparing yourself to others.
Kindness and Compassion: How you treat yourself and others can be a strong indicator of self-worth. When you show yourself love, understanding, and patience, it reflects an internal sense of value.
Personal Growth: Consider how much you have grown as a person over time. The effort you put into learning, improving, and becoming a better version of yourself is a solid marker of your worth.
Relationships: Your relationships with others—how you show up for your loved ones and how they show up for you—can reflect how you value yourself. Healthy, supportive relationships are a sign of strong self-worth.
Authenticity: Living in alignment with your values and being true to who you are can be a good gauge. When you are authentic, you are living in a way that honors your worth, regardless of external approval.
Contributions: How you contribute to the world around you, whether in small or large ways, can be a sign of your self-worth. It could be through acts of kindness, work, creativity, or support for others.
An example of self-worth is when an individual acknowledges their value regardless of external factors like social status, achievements, or failures. For instance, a person who has faced a professional setback but still maintains a deep-seated belief in their inherent worth and capabilities exhibits healthy self-worth.
Self-worth is an internal compass that guides how you see and treat yourself, and it does not rely on outside validation or comparison. Self-worth is your internal sense of being worthy of love, belonging, and respect. It is an evaluation of yourself as a valuable and capable person. A healthy sense of self-worth can contribute to better relationships, work, health, and overall mental and emotional well-being.
Take care of yourself and each other!
