Only YOU Can Determine Your Worth

How many types of people are there in the world?  That's a tricky question.  Some may say that, like snowflakes, no two people are alike.  There are tall people, short people, dark people, light people, small people and large people.  But with each of these physical-types comes a behavioral type.  There are funny people, stupid people, smart people, compassionate people...and then there are assholes.

We can breakdown personality traits and physical characteristics, apply some mathematical equation and come up with a literal answer to my figurative question.  But, I shall make my answer to my seemingly simple question general:  There are only two types of people.  Good people and bad people.

Good people care about the well-being of others.  They are giving, loving and supportive.  They are educators, providers and mentors.  They abide by the Golden Rule and give others the tools they need to succeed in life.  They help build bridges, pathways and confidence for others.

Bad people care about the well-being of themselves.  They are conniving, evil and degrading.  They are dictators, takers and power-hungry.  They abide by the rule that in order to look good, you make others look bad.  They take away people's confidence and don't think twice as they throw people under the proverbial bus and proceed to drive over them. They build barriers and break down others' senses of worth.

Whether it's in one's personal life or workplace...these two types of people exist.

What I have learned in both aspects of my life is that only I can determine my worth.  Others can add to my sense of worth - or try to take away my sense of worth.  But I choose who to listen to and I choose who to believe.

I have been blessed with some amazing people in my life.  There are many who have been inspirations to me.  They have - directly or indirectly - helped me define my worth to myself.  My father, my soul sister (you know who you are), my son's Godmother and friend, my partner in life, my son, my siblings, my Little and her family.  They have all taught me and continue to remind me to be the best me that I can be.

While my personal inspirations have helped define me, my professional mentors have helped guide me.  I will forever be grateful to a wonderful woman who, as my supervisor, encouraged me to learn.  Gave me the tools I needed to grow and saw something in me that others refused to see.  It is her faith in me and my abilities that I am able to get up everyday and go to work.  It is her continued guidance (though she is no longer my supervisor) that reminds me that I fall into the 'good person' category.  It is her ability to build people up while others tear her down that inspires me to not only be the best person I can be, but the best boss I can be, the best friend I can be, the best mom I can be, the best wife I can be...the best person I can be.  A true mentor turned friend.

I am a good person. I am a smart person.  A loving person.  A giving person.  A loved person.  Nobody can take that away from me.  They can try.  But who always wins in the battle of good vs. evil?  Right.

So, as Jerry Springer would say, "Be good to yourself....and each other."