Self- Value with Michelle A. Hardwick of Release...Peace

What does it mean to have Self-Value?

Self-value can also be described as self-worth. When we have a high level of self-value, we have a favorable opinion of ourselves (not in an egotistical way but in a way that is grounded and present). When we have unshakable faith in ourselves and our abilities, we easily follow through with our goals and desires. When we have self-value, we get things done. Having a high degree of self–value means feeling worthy of all the good things life has to offer.

A Story of Value

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill.

self value with michelle hardwick releasepeace In the room of 200, he asked, “who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up.

He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.

He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air.

“Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it onto the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends”, he said, “you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

You are special – Don’t ever forget it!” (Huge thanks to Matt Wingett for this story)

Self-value Quote

“Our self-respect tracks our choices.
Every time we act in harmony with our authentic self
and our heart, we earn our respect.
It is that simple.
Every choice matters.”
Dan Coppersmith

Increasing Self-Value

Here are some helpful tips to begin to enhance your self-value:

Avoid comparing yourself with others, accept your differences – if we were all the same the world would be a very boring place.
Become aware and mindful of your inner critic and make friends with it – it is after-all just trying to protect you and keep you safe.
Pause for a moment or two, breathe and think about the good things in your life, your friends, the work you do, the positive effects you have on others.
Do the right thing, trust and follow both your heart and gut-instincts.
Understand what drives your perfectionism – sometimes it is a fear of criticism.
Handle mistakes and failures in a more positive way – look for the gift or the learning in the situation.
Be kinder and more compassionate towards yourself and other people.
Take a risk and do something new.
Spend more time with uplifting and supportive people (and less time with negative and critical people).

Developing Self-Value with Meditation

There are many things you can do to boost your own self-value, one of these methods is meditation. When we meditate, we develop an ability to let go. We begin to harness our thoughts and feelings and keep them in perspective. We can begin to learn to observe and respond instead of reacting or actively participating in every experience that comes to us or pops into our heads. In other words, according to Puddicombe, 2015: we “loosen the grip we have on our sense of self”.

Through meditation, we begin to gain an ability to become mindful and aware of our inner experiences without identifying with them. We can learn to let our thoughts pass by without judgment or feeling a strong emotional response.

Contact

Call us by phone on Ph: 087 149 2338 or from the UK on Ph: 07857 369619 or contact us by email if you’d like help increasing your self-value consider a personal, private consultation with us or join us for a transformational retreat in Cork, Ireland either in February 2019 or also in April 2019.