On the question of self-worth. I'm not religious myself, but I still believe that there's something fundamentally right about the idea that we are all children of God. That we are worth something simply because we exist. Every one of us. We are living, breathing, thinking, feeling beings. It's not something I'm prepared to defend on a philosophical, rational basis. But I like it.

I like to think that I am worth something because I try to put out positive energy into the world. To make positive contributions. That whether or not someone else needs, accepts, desires this is independent from my positive intentions. In fact, if someone doesn't want any help from me, the best, most positive thing to do would be to respect his or her wishes. I find this to be the best way for me to feel good about myself based on what I do for others, without too closely tying it to other people's reactions and needs.