Dear Friends,

This month I’d like to share a story with you about knowing your worth.

Before he died, a father said to his son, “Here is a watch that your Grandfather gave me. It is almost 200 years old. Before I give it to you, go to the jewelry store downtown. Tell them that I want to sell it, and see how much they offer you.” The son went to the jewelry store, came back to his father and said, “They offered $150 because it’s so old.”

The father said, “Go to the pawn shop.” The son went to the pawnshop, came back to his father and said, “The pawn shop offered $10 because it looks so worn.” The father asked his son to go to the museum and show them the watch. He went to the museum, came back, and said to his father, "The curator offered $500,000 for this very rare piece to be included in their precious antique collection.” The father said, “I wanted to let you know that the right place, and the right people, will value you in the right way. 

Never put yourself in the wrong place, with the wrong people, and then get angry when you don’t feel valued. Those that know your value are those who appreciate you. Don’t stay in a place where nobody sees your value. Know your worth.” 

So, son,” the father continued, “if you find yourself not being valued, don’t get angry or frustrated. Know that you’re probably in the wrong place being judged by people who see tiny parts of you, tiny parts of your life, not the whole you. Look for those who go beyond all externals, who have the expert vision to see the true you beyond all your shortcomings and all your faults. Those who can see your true value, your true potential, will inspire you to do well, live well, love, grow and rise in life.”

The morale of the story – You will only know your true value if you are in the right place.

This story resonates with me on so many levels. Oftentimes in life we are judged and “labeled” by other people, and the negative things that are spoken over us simply aren’t true. Yet, for some, we spend our lives trying to justify our worth to the world, and even to ourselves, because of the lies that have been told to us that we accept (or fight) as truth. I know for me, that is something I’ve struggled with since I was a child.

Now, many moons later, I am in a profession where I have to justify my worth Every. Single. Day. It’s a struggle, for sure! This story is a sweet reminder that if, at times, we are not valued by others, perhaps we simply need to move on and find the right place & the right people - the ones who see and appreciate our value. So stop hanging out at pawn shops … go find your museums! Don’t devalue yourself simply because others can’t see it. YOU ARE VALUABLE!

Worthy of so much more,

Rica