Last week I wrote about International Day of the Girl and at the end of the article I shared about the importance of Valuing our Girls. This is something I believe in whole-heartedly. I believe it and I want to see and hear it resonating through our centers. We, Rob, myself and our team want the children in our care to know how valued they are and how important they are. That they are here for a reason and that they are precious in our sight. Not only do we want them to know this but our hope is and I am sure you do, understand the truth of this.
In saying all of that, after writing last weeks article I found myself thinking about Value and realising that many people don’t understand what value means in regards to people or individuals. We understand the value of ‘things’, we understand the value of our home simply because there is a $ sign attached to it. We know the value of our car because, here again, there is a $ sign attached to it and in both cases monthly bills that remind us how valuable each assest is.
When it comes to valuing people, sadly there have been some wrong messages sent and received. Whether that be through the media (the constant comparision through magazine advertising, etc.,) or perhaps even words that have been spoken to you and about you. Sometimes our understanding of personal value can be determined by outside influences and those influences, in most cases, aren’t accurate.
Value actually means; worth, merit, or importance. When it comes to people when we value ourselves and then others, we are placing importance & worth on who they are regardless of circumstance, situation or anything else. We are simply honoring the core of who they are, another person who has been planned on purpose for this time in history. I find that exciting.
I recently read and I know this to be true in my own life, that you can only truly value another when you first value yourself. I think of the ‘love thy neighbour as you love yourself’ which we’ve all heard before. This begs the question of – how then will I ever love my neighbour if I don’t love myself? I hope I can help you with this…. You can do so by first valuing yourself, by placing importance on you and by understanding that you are here for a reason, that you aren’t a mistake, that on this very day someone is telling you that you matter and that they want you to understand your value.
I want to encourage you to start speaking healthy words over yourself. That moment when you find yourself in the line at the shops, gazing at a magazine cover, possibly comparing yourself… STOP….. and remind yourself that you are gorgeous, that you are a strong force, that you were chosen for such a time as this, that you have a part to play in the world, that you are someone’s mother or father and they too need you to be strong and courageous and to walk confidently in your shoes, in your skin.
I’m reminded of that beautiful quote by Marianne Williamson and it says this….
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Today, can I encourage you to shine, to stand strong and stand in the beauty of who you are. Let these words echo in the recesses of your mind as you go about the days ahead and as the words echo, let the words become thoughts that captivate you. As they captivate you you will beign to shine and in and through this you can and will liberate those around you.
Imagine a world where we placed value on ourselves and valued one another…..
Loving you in this season,
Susanna
