You Are Enough

'My friends are DOPE. .... and one leads a DOPE movement.  Shantae J Edwards, is a life coach , mentor, and passion pusher.  She's also a spoken word poet, but don't tell her that I told you.   As one of my mentors and friends, she is the only person who sends me weekly inspirational texts to remind me of my own power and worth. What a great person, right?   Many , Including myself, struggle with feeling worthy or good enough.  I sometimes struggle with feeling loved or valued.  We are human and we all have our flaws. It is because of people like Shantae that I have learned to not be so hard on myself and to care less of what people think of me. What really matters is what I think of me.

Sometimes, it can be hard being content with how I am. I used to think that my worth was tied to others perception and opinions of me.  Love was conditional. It was purchased through my actions , work and ability to produce. It was dependent on my accomplishments, or how attractive I was,  the athletic feats I could accomplish, how much money I made, or how great my academic grades were.  This was a very meritocratic way of thinking about love, worth , and Identity. It caused me to continuously over extend and be in draining situations.  When I came to the realization that my mere existence is enough, that by being here and alive I have purpose and my presence has altered reality just by living,  I was freed from fear. I became more independent.  Fear can be paralyzing. I found that I constantly feared failure. I feared letting others down so much so, that I neglected my own needs.  ( My fiance' and group of close friends are still working with me on boundaries, self care, and planning... it's hard.... this is a whole 'nother blog post.)

Realizing your worth is the first step to freedom and gaining power ( empowerment).  When we realize that we are enough. It changes the game and shifts perspective.  Don't let others price your life.
Some will say Jesus already paid that price,  others will allude to the historic end of slavery and expansion of the free market being road ways to freedom.  What ever helps you realize that you are in control of your worth, and your mattering in this small world, I'm for it. 

You Matter. You are Matter, dynamic pieces of creation that are necessary to life.  So live, be free, and know that You. Are. Enough. 
 
If you are in need of more inspiration, watch this dynamic Tedx Talk by my friend , passion pusher, and leader of #IAMDOPE, Shantae J Edwards.  
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Click the video below and visit her at www.thepassionpusher.com and
twitter at ​twitter.com/theshantaej