“There is no deformity but in monstrosity; wherein, notwithstanding, there is a kind of beauty; nature so ingeniously contriving the irregular part, as they become sometimes more remarkable than the principal fabrick. To speak yet more narrowly, there was never any thing ugly or misshapen, but the chaos; wherein, notwithstanding, to speak strictly, there was no deformity, because no form; nor was it yet impregnant by the voice of God. Now nature is not at variance with art, nor art with nature; they being both the servants of his providence. Art is the perfection of nature. Were the world now as it was the sixth day, there was yet a chaos. Nature hath made one world, and art another. In brief, all things are artificial; for nature is the art of God.”
Self-worth
Definition: “Belief in self. Confidence in personal value and worth as an individual person”
“Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.” ~Claude Bissell
I have been waiting around most of my life hoping that someone would grant me the opportunity to speak up and be heard. Until I realised that no one was going to “grant” me anything, if I wanted to be heard I would have to make my own opportunities.
I think that is why it took me so long to actually publish my blog, even thought I had written posts, I was not ready to share it with anyone. It all comes down to a healthy amount of self-confidence, believing in yourself and facing your fear of failure.
I am certain that even the most successful people have had moments of doubt, some time in their lives. It is all about overcoming the doubt and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
So why we are still faced with this issue in a world besieged with every form of self-help therapy known to man? There are so many people out there trying to teach us how to cope with failure and rejection: life coaches, motivational speakers etc. Yet we still find more and more people suffering in silence. Is it possible that we are too afraid to face our fears and admitting to a lack of confidence, would feel like failure in itself.
I believe that we are born with a sense of self – worth and as we grow, outside influences shape and mould this sense of self-worth. Where do we obtain our sense of worth from and how do these external influences affect us? Our parents play a very instrumental part in shaping our self-worth. Friends, teachers, media all play a part in how we perceive and value ourselves.
As parents we have the greatest opportunity to instil self- worth in our children by teaching them self-respect and confidence in their own abilities. I think it is vital that we do not allow the ‘world’ to dictate where our children draw their self-image from, and to not allow our children to fashion their behaviour on the likes of teenage celebrities. This is a very dangerous practice which in my opinion unravels all the principles and beliefs we impart to our children. Simply showing our children that they are loved and accepted will go a long way to shaping a healthy sense of self.
We need to believe that we were all made for a purpose and that we need to love and accept ourselves before anyone else can. This verse from the Bible says more than I can ever try and express:“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.Psalm 139 verse 14. We are “fearfully and wonderfully” created, this is our reality and no matter what life hands us, we are unique and amazing. Our contribution to the world no matter how big or small is significant.
What all this has made me realise, is that it is important, that I live life for me and not for others.
My husband – “the poet” wrote this wonderful poem which I would like to share with you:
To Live – by Grant Rossiter
If this day you can hope and pray
If this day you can find your way
If this day come what may
You can give life you’re very best shot
Then I know someday, you’ll look back and say
‘What a journey, I’ve accomplished a lot’
Along the way you might find you stray
Along the way working night and day
Along the way ‘How?’ you might say
If you can keep on no matter your lot
Then I know one day, you’ll look up and say
‘Thank you for all that I’ve got’
“The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one’s self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.” ~Michelangelo
Hope
Today's Quote
Mothers Day
What it means to be a Mother/ Mom
Upon deciding to write a Mother’s Day blog I thought it would be fun to ask my friends and family to give me their description or definition of a mother. Thank you to those of you who contributed. Here is what they had to say:
From Elaine Smith
“God created Mothers to remind every generation of their valuable input ….. A good mother provides her children so much more than a happy home. She teaches them how to feed their souls and gives them a spiritual foundation on which to build their life. She cares about how her child will face the world. A mother is hardheaded about discipline and soft-hearted about everything else. She motivates her children and praises them constantly to help them reach their full potential. She epitomizes strength, dignity and wisdom.”
From Lisa Mouton
“Being a mother for me is the following:
– simply the best and worst job in the world
– teaching your child and then days, weeks and sometimes years later seeing that teaching manifesting itself in the most amazing ways
– testing your worst character traits (for me it is a lack of patience) every single day
– letting your child go is the hardest – whether it is something as small as a play date on their own, letting them climb that tall tree to letting them go to a rugby match on their own or away for a holiday without you.
– Nothing else on earth can bring you such immeasurable joy as seeing your child succeed at something they are good at.
– being a mom allows you to celebrate the small victories in life – learning to walk, ride a bike, swim a length underwater etc.
– it also allows me to be ‘silly’ with my boys and enjoy things like rollercoaster rides, building sandcastles etc. without people looking at you funny.
– it is also looking at things which you thought were so funny or cool as a child/ teenager and realising they were bloody annoying for the adults concerned.
– realising how much your parents sacrificed for you”
“Unconditional love, self-sacrifice and always there to help pick up the pieces. The go-to person when things just don’t seem to make sense and you just need to talk it through. Thanks mom for all the endless hours of listening and input into our lives.”
Today I would like to thank all those Mothers or Mother Figures all over the world that are so important to us. They are the basis of society and responsible for so much growth and inspiration the world over. So if we do not say it enough every day, we love you and appreciate all you are and do.