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“The feeling of being valuable – ‘I am a valuable person’ – is essential to mental health and is a cornerstone of self-discipline. It is a direct product of parental love. Such a conviction must be gained in childhood; it is extremely difficult to acquire it during adulthood. Conversely, when children have learned through the love of their parents to feel valuable, it is almost impossible for the vicissitudes of adulthood to destroy their spirit." ~M. Scott Peck, M.D., The Road Less Traveled
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When growing up, I was frequently told I was a bad boy who surely would go to hell. I spent a lot of time thinking about how long forever was. How was I going to get out of this? I was at a loss.
Anger, resentment and bitterness became daily companions. The battle to survive was on. I had no one to talk to. I rarely felt I was winning.
Jessica Beltran, MS, tells us:
So maybe it’s time we start recognizing the value of being valued. But being valued for the right reasons. For the love, compassion, honesty, loyalty, kindness, passion, hard work, and dedication that we bring to this life. The Value of Being Valued | Thrive
Beltran provides ideas on how to make others feel valued. Maybe, with more focus on the value of being valued, adults can capture at least some of the spirit a child has acquired through parental love.
I truly hope so.