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"Perhaps I am stronger than I think" ................................Thomas Merton

Self-esteem is based on our perception of our worth. That perception is largely based on our experiences. That is, as we perform - as our life happens - our experiences determine what our identity is. It is our perception of that identity that establishes our self-esteem and its counterpart, self-confidence.

Experience has often taught adult children they are powerless victims. All too often our experience is of having no strength to control the events around us. Fear, shame, abandonment become as much a part of our lives as play, safety, and encouragement are part of others' lives.

When recovery begins, we do indeed learn that we have more strength than we thought, for as we recover, the experiences we engage in become more positive, more controlled. As opposed to the messages of old, we learn we are worthy, able individuals; we learn to expect success.
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I am stronger and more able than I ever thought I was. Tomorrow I will be stronger than I am today.