At a luncheon recently, each of us was asked to share our story. One by one, the women spoke of their lives — what they’ve done, what they’ve overcome, the chapters they’ve lived.
When it came to me, I told my story. And if I’m honest, it’s an incredible one. I have done a lot — more than many, perhaps — first out of survival, then out of transcendence, and now out of a calling that pulls me forward. It is creativity, devotion, and work born of spirit.
When I finished, one woman turned to me and said:
“Oh my God, I feel like I’ve done nothing compared to you… except raise two kids.”
Her words landed heavy in my heart. Because here’s the truth: as much as I want to inspire, I never want anyone to feel less than in my presence. And yet, I also know this: I cannot make myself smaller so that others do not feel intimidated. It is only in letting our light shine — fully and unapologetically — that we invite others to shine, too.
And still, there is a deeper truth. We are not worthy because of the story we tell or the achievements we stack. We are not worthy because we raised children or built businesses or wrote books or survived hardship. Those are expressions of our journey, yes. But they are not the measure of our worth.
In the West, worth is too often weighed in productivity, gain, or recognition. But spiritually, the truth is different. Across traditions, it whispers the same message:
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In Christianity: you are beloved simply as a child of God.
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In Buddhism: your Buddha-nature is already whole.
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In Yoga: the Self — Ātman — is eternal, complete.
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In psychology: unconditional self-worth does not hinge on achievement.
The bottom line is this: we are worthy simply because we exist.
Let that land for a moment…
Not because of what you have done. Not because of what you will do. But because you are.
And when we live from that place — when we honor our inherent worth — our light becomes less about proving ourselves and more about illuminating the way.
Worth is not a prize to win — it’s the truth we return to.
May we remember: nothing we achieve can make us more whole,
and nothing we fail to do can make us less.
Worth is not earned — it is lived,
felt in the quiet truth of simply being.
Mantra:
I am worthy simply because I exist.
Use this mantra regularly, especially when self-doubt arises.
Let it bring you back to the wholeness that has always been yours.
With love and light,
Grace