“Until you know your worth you’ll continue to seek other people’s approval just to feel good about yourself,” so declared Sonya Parker. In Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Let’s reflect on your self-worth as a human.
Do you know that the value you attach to yourself determines what you go for or fall for? Do you measure your self-worth in monetary figures or subscribe to the perspective that what money cannot buy, more money can? Or has unfortunate events in your life made you lose your sense of value? As an anonymous source counselled, “Don’t let your past dictate who you are. Let it be the lesson that strengthens the person you will become.” While you may not notice, the point is that if you’re so cheap that you can be bought with money, then you need to work quite hard to upgrade your value or look so deep into yourself to recognize your true worth. As John Steinbeck noted, “Anything that just costs money is cheap.” Sometimes you may invest so much in material things to enhance your value without knowing you’re actually devaluing yourself. Such might have made Dolly Parton’s declare, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” In the words of Bill Watterson, “I don’t know which is worse: that everyone has his price, or that the price is always so low.”
So, explore ways to see your true value without unnecessary focus on “things.” As C. S. Lewis said, “Do not let your happiness depend on something you may lose.” Reject the temptation to let the pursuit of money, fame or recognition make you put a monetary price tag on your value. As Antonio Machado observed, “Only a fool thinks price and value are the same.” Recognize that you’re priceless and so reject the temptation to showcase who you are through what you have, position you occupy or title you bear. Look inwardly and treasure your true identity and unique creation. Know that your value is inherent in you and so you don’t need to consciously try to prove you’re expensive or let pride deprive you of doing things you consider “cheap” even when that may be what is needful. According to a proverb, sometimes “The cheapest is always the most expensive.” As Kesha noted, “You don’t have to carry a designer bag that costs more than a car to look cool.” You don’t necessarily need to “prove” your value. Don’t look down on yourself to the point that you rely on others to determine your true value. As Zig Ziglar said, “Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” Be conscious that if you don’t know your true value, you may allow yourself to be bought at any price.
As you step out, recognize that you’re priceless. Never settle for just anything; know your worth. When tempted to undervalue yourself, remember Vladimir Solovyov’s note: “My Failure to recognize one’s own absolute significance is equivalent to a denial of human worth; this is a basic error and the origin of all unbelief. If one is so faint-hearted that he is powerless even to believe in himself, how can he believe in anything else?”
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Dr. (Engr.) Esang Esitikot is a COREN-registed chemical engineer, an HSE professional, a public affairs analyst, marriage counsellor, youth mentor and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He works for an international oil company and can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only).
