If you’re going to the supermarket to buy five kilograms of rice, would you want it to be measured using a weighing scale or a ruler stick? I hope you answered weighing scale because that is where you will truly get your money’s worth. We need accurate form of measurements to determine the value of what we are getting, what we are working on, and what we are building. If we fail to do that, not only are we not getting our money’s worth but we may end up failing because our measurements are extremely off. But sadly, many of us use the wrong measurements when we deal with our self-image or self-worth. That’s why a lot of us are depressed, miserable and discontent.
There are different ways that we measure our self-worth. And how we measure up to those standards often predict our moods, our perspectives, and sometimes our destiny. Here are some of the most common things we use to measure ourselves with.
1. We measure ourselves by what we do
Many of us, especially those who work in the corporate field usually measure who we are by our titles. Some of us even introduce ourselves along with what we do. We say, “Hello I am Mike and I am a manager from XYZ Company”. While this may seem appropriate at times, attaching ourselves with titles is very risky. The truth is that no job, business, or profession are guaranteed to build to last. One major economic breakdown can strip us of our titles and we’ll never know the outcome of our jobs and businesses. There is also the stiff competition and that will lead you to discontent as someone else may get ahead of you.
2. We measure ourselves with how much money we make
While some of us go for titles, others go for possessions. We determine our worth by how big our bank account is and how much things we have. But the truth is no amount of money can make us feel secured in ourselves, in fact no amount of money can buy self-worth.
3. We measure ourselves by our looks
While this truth may come from our inner desire to be accepted, to belong and to be loved, most of this though is fueled by how society is influenced particularly by the media. Some of us knows the saying that goes like this – “You are only as good as you look”. And that is why people try and do so much to alter how they look by using a lot of things like soaps, beauty lotions, and even going under the table for surgery and enhancement.
Now we must understand that this is a false value system. If you think about it, there are only two things that this teaches us. That all of us are just measured by two criteria: VALUE and PERFORMANCE.
It is a very hard system. Why? Because it is unfair. Where does it leave the retarted? The ugly? and the handicapped?
So how do we truly measure our self-worth? What measuring stick is appropriate to know how much value we need to place on ourselves?
1. Start with your character
Attitude before beauty. Money, titles and look will not last forever – but your character is what remains after you are dead. People will remember you for who you truly are and not by how wealthy you were. Warren Buffet once mentioned that life isn’t about how much money we make, but on how people have loved us. Love is something you can’t buy as it is given. People with good character remains to be loved, appreciated and even remembered way long before they are gone. Invest on building love with people who matters, and to love those who are in need, that will put into display your true beauty, one that can’t be modified nor be sold.
2. Surround yourself with true friends
Young or old needs to have true friends. The one who will not look at your shell, but into your shell to discover who you truly are. We need those type of people in our lives so that we can truly live beyond our looks, titles, and possessions.
3. Secure yourself to a higher purpose
I believe in this essential truth that there is more to life than just our everyday. That we are all created for a purpose. That our lives, and everything we do, who we are, and how we look fits perfectly into a plan that only God knows. And that is why it is important for us to find that purpose, to know why we are here and what we are called to do, because if we do, we will find 100% satisfaction that no one can rob from us.
All of us are different, but all of us are valuable. You are simply valuable because you are a person.
I AM CREATED BY GOD.
I AM LOVED.
I AM SECURED.
I AM NOT DEFINED BY MY PAST.
I AM ALREADY FORGIVEN.
I AM GROWING.
I AM CHANGING.
About The Author
Manuel is a guy who loves books. He enjoys reading and does it whenever he can. If he’s not reading, he spends time with his family and also ministers to teenagers in a local church. He does public speaking and talks about issues concerning the youth and young professionals. An Oleia topical oil user and content contributor.
