In current society, we often feel like we aren't enough. With this mindset, we believe that our worth is conditional so it needs to be earned constantly. When we operate within this perspective, we often behave in a way that is driven by shame.

As long as we strive to achieve more, do more, be more, we fail to measure up yet, and we become frustrated, stressed, and unfulfilled.  We struggle to know and see that we are already enough, but why is that?

We possess incredible minds, but initially their primary function keeps us alive. It has been conditioned to survive, and to do so, seeks the approval of the people around us. 

Because of this our mind is constantly assessing—am I fitting in, am I doing anything that could get me rejected, am I contributing enough, am I special, am I enough?

Despite our growth and development, humanity still constantly compares itself to others and searches for approval. The problem is that we are no longer living in a tribe or small rural areas as we did in days gone by, we are now comparing ourselves to a larger number of people rather than just those within our own group.  In the digital age, we are often faced with endless images of people who seem smarter, better looking, happier, doing more, and more prosperous than we are. A constant scroll through these images could lead us to conclude we are not enough and not worthy.

Some of us can become cynical about ourselves or even fall into extreme patterns of anxiety. Others might use it to propel them into endless striving where they push their minds and bodies to reach a level that is unrealistic and harmful. We never feel like we are enough.  We often spend our time trying to impress others rather than doing what truly brings us happiness. As a result, we can often fail to be our true selves.

This desire to be better is deeply engrained in our psyche, but we need to learn not to take it personally - it doesn’t mean we have no worth already.

All human beings are born worthy, of course. Each of us is born worthy. You are born worthy. Before doing anything in life, you are worthy. In other words, you were born worthy. Of course you're born worthy.  There is no condition on your worth. You are already a significant and integral part of this miracle of life, connected to everyone around you. You already belong, you are already whole and you are already enough for everyone around you. Whatever you do will never add any more value to you.

Once you become aware and understand the destructive nature of this faulty mind pattern, you begin to free yourself from its shackles.

Are you striving for self-worth by pleasing people, seeking approval, and overachieving? How might you use that energy more judiciously if you were operating from a place of knowing that you are enough?

As a result, you don't need to work on earning your worth today. Instead, allow yourself to concentrate your energy on what truly gives you purpose, contentment, real connection to others and love. Are you going to be enough? You are already and always will be.