Every once in while we are blessed with a defining moment in
our lives. Sometimes it is by our own
actions and the consequences that follow change us. Sometimes it is by the actions of others and
it is our response that we find a new definition of ourselves. But whether it is an external or internal
moment, we are changed. Irrevocably
changed for the better or worst.
Many
months ago I watched a video that I had seen on social media, and it affected
me to the core. It was an experiment
done by Dove.
Above
two entrances to a building the researchers placed a sign, one read AVERAGE and
the other read BEAUTIFUL. Women were
given the choice of which door to enter through. Many women chose the door labeled
AVERAGE.
The
researchers would interview the women and ask them why, some regretted their
choice, and some felt like they deserved it.
Many of them worried about what
others thought of them. They all
felt worse about themselves for their choice.
My
spirits were depressed because of their choice.
As
I continued to watch the video, more and more women chose to go through the
BEAUTIFUL door. When asked why they
would reply that they felt that they were beautiful and they knew they deserved
it.
As
I watched the video I cheered for those that chose the BEATIFUL door. I waited breathless as women debated and was
excited for them to choose the BEAUTIFUL door, and I sorrowed when they chose
the AVERAGE.
I
watched mothers pull their daughters to the door labeled BEAUTIFUL and women
refuse to go through the BEAUTIFUL door without their friends and again I
cheered.
I
realized as I watched this video that it did not matter to me what the outside
appearance of each women was, but I wanted all of them to go through the door
labeled BEAUTIFUL.
I
wondered after watching this video which door I would have chosen. Would I have compared myself to others and
worried about their definition of beautiful and chosen the AVERAGE door, or
would I have recognized the value of myself, inside and out and chosen the BEAUTIFUL
door. I admit that I worry that I would
have chosen the AVERAGE door, and it made my questions why.
Why
would I doubt my own personal self-worth?
Why would I allow the vision of the world to enter my soul and take the
place of what I know to be true already… that I am made to be whom I am, and
that is perfect just for me. I was
created with strengths and weaknesses all of which make up me. I grow from my weaknesses and I help others
with my strengths. Yet, me like so many
others worry about a label.
The
dictionary tells us that self-worth is the sense of one’s own value or worth as a person. I used to agree with this. It makes sense, your self-worth is determined
by how you feel about yourself, but as I pondered why I was even tempted to
choose the AVERAGE door, I learned something.
God’s definition of self-worth is
very different.
Yes our sense
of ourselves does make us feel worthy
or unworthy, but in actuality it has nothing to do with our worth.
We may feel one way, but the reality is that we are God’s creation
and that means that our worth is INFINATE!
“Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you.
That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your
possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not
changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you
when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you
whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.”
Thomas S. Monson
A
better definition then is self-worth is
the UNDERSTANDING of one’s own value or worth as person. Because our worth
never changes, it is simply our understanding of it that increases the
feeling of self-worth.
So remember what your true worth is? You can still choose the door you want, but
can I suggest that there is another door.
CHILD OF GOD! This is for
everyone, no matter what, and when you enter, your understanding of your own worth
will increase and with this increase you will have the opportunity to help
others understand their true worth!
 |
http://ldsprinciples.blogspot.com/2012/10/precious-in-his-sight.html
Art by Greg Olsen,
Precious in his sight
Retrieved from ldsprinciples.blogspot.com |
