“Am I enough?”, it’s a question that I have asked myself several times on several occasions. If I’m not wrong most of us must have felt the same at least once in our lives. It’s a feeling of not being complete or not worthy enough for someone or something. Do you think that it is natural to feel not good enough?
What is being enough? Is it being physically healthy? Or being intelligent? Or famous? Or beautiful? Does our value as a human being depends on these external qualities which others can see? Or is it anything to do with us as an individual, as a person?
As I said earlier, this question has popped up into my mind several times. When I was going to sit for an entrance exam, when I got a job, when I got promoted, when I was getting married and when I gave birth to my child, every single time I started onto something new or fresh, I had doubted myself. I knew that it was not healthy but I couldn’t help myself there.
Being enough is a state of mind. It doesn’t depends on how our body is, how intelligent we are or how important in the society are we. It’s about trusting on ourselves, to be grateful for our lives, abilities and talents, to forgive ourselves for the mistakes that we had done and to carry on. It’s not about waiting for someone to make us whole because we already are complete and that’s how God has created us. It doesn’t depends on our age, sex, physical and mental ability or disability, color, social status, caste, religion or race. I don’t deny on the fact that we are social animals but to have someone in our lives who loves and respects us should be an addition and not a substitute. To make ourselves acceptable in the society, we don’t have to punish ourselves. There is no point in the sense of belonging with others if I don’t belong to myself.
In short, I learned that it’s really essential to know our worth because we all are complete by ourselves. If we would all know our value, there will be no place for insecurity, low self-esteem, low integrity, jealousy or rivalry and the world would be a better place.
Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.
Lao Tzu
Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.
Marcus Aurelius
It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.
Abraham Lincoln
You will never gain anyone’s approval by begging for it. When you stand confident in your own worth, respect follows.
Mandy Hale
Please leave your comments on the topic as I would really like to read them.
A Life's Journey 
Well said! One thing that makes this internal struggle easier for me is embracing the things that make me different instead of hiding that part of myself.
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You are absolutely right, Kamande M. We need to accept ourselves to accept and love others.
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Joyce, a terrific post with in-depth reflections about our own self-worth. I love all the quotes as well and your final paragraph should be added to them:
‘In short, I learned that it’s really essential to know our worth because we all are complete by ourselves. If we would all know our value, there will be no place for insecurity, low self-esteem, low integrity, jealousy or rivalry and the world would be a better place.’
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting on the topic. I’m humbled by your generosity. I’m really glad that you liked the post as well as quotes.🙏
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Well said! We all are worthy and complete in ourselves and recognizing this is the beginning of wisdom! I especially like that bit about not punishing ourselves to fit into society’s expectations of us!👍
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Thank you so much for taking your time to read and comment on it. You are right, the beginning of wisdom is in finding ourselves.
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“There is no point in the sense of belonging with others if I don’t belong to myself.” Well said. It is natural for us to seek approval from people around us and adjust our behavior accordingly. Change and improvement are essential to our life. This being said, I have experienced the big headache of dealing with people who become negative forces in my life. It can be an overbearing personality, a demanding figure, a jealous somebody, or even just one course in which the teacher considered me not good enough during my school days. It s There is no point in the sense of belonging with others if I don’t belong to myself. It is important to know that things happen in life and often it is not our fault that things happen to us. We rally our strength to find a way out and don’t blame ourselves.
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I’m really glad that you liked the post and that you took your time to share your views as well. Yes, life happens but it’s our responsibility to find the inner strength and to move on.
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I have asked myself that question very often too and I agree that it has more to do with the state of mind you are in because a lot of times we just need to accept who we are and that who we are is enough.
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It’s a difficult question, isn’t it? To measure ourselves up. Thank you for taking your time to read and comment on it.
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My pleasure and yes it is quite difficult to answer.
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Greatly expressed! Yes, you are good enough according to your own calling. Each one of us, has a purpose in this life. God’s perspective is very different from ours. Let us follow His calling and we will shine in the task He wanted us to do. Keep the faith glowing!🙏
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Thank you for reading and commenting on it. I really appreciate it.🙂
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You’re much welcome!
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I guess we share so many similar thoughts!! ❤️
Glad I find you through blogging, keep writing ✨
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Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. 🙏😊
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Hi Joyce,
I came to realize that the feeling of being not good enough is a good thing because in that way we began to strive hard and be the best version of ourselves. 🥰
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Hi James/ Nicole,
Thank you for visiting my blog. I wrote this post about not believing in our own potential and comparing with others and thus making our lives horrible. It’s about not to belittle ourselves. And I too believe in working hard to reach to our maximum potential and to be our best version.
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Hi Joyce,
I got your point of not believing in our own potential can lead to horrible situation in our lives but I am just saying to look into the silver lining of life.
In my own opinion, it is normal that once in a while the feeling of not enough is a good thing and it doesnt mean that we do not value ourselves but it just a reminder that we can do better.🥰
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