Guest Post: The Concept Of Self Value

I am thrilled to feature our first guest post on the blog today.  This piece was written by an author who not only possesses the first hand experience of living each and every day being “followed” by the dark cloud of depression, but he has also acquired, along the way, the collective thoughts of many that have found themselves riding the same train through what he calls “this pitch black tunnel called life”. He forms his ideas around the central concept that many of life’s large questions merit more than one answer; attempting to guide others to find these answers within themselves. In the process, he hopes to help others see the light at the end of this tunnel, and better understand how to strive towards it.

The author shared the following with me, “My own personal experience regarding the great unknown that is the mental illness treatment facility journey began in the early years of my high school years. The ever-following dark cloud that formed above my head would soon become the most powerful eye opener of my life. It showed me that every silver lining glimmers brighter than many can see, and the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than it appears.”

 

Value and worth are two concepts that each and every one of us comes to face on a daily basis. Was it worth it that you tried to take a shortcut to work, but ended up getting stuck in traffic? Was it worth it that you spent two extra dollars on something as oppose to the cheaper brand? Minor instances that slip our minds like the snap of a finger. We, as conscious beings, also place these principles on each other. Examples of this would be “was it worth it to help this person?” or “is he/she worth all the trouble?”.

One particular instance of this however is less common than the other examples. “Am I worth it?”. Many of us attempt to set the bar for our own status through the eyes of others. Collecting money and possessions of monetary value. Though, self value can only truly be determined through ones’ own eyes. For those who have ridden, or are riding, the carnival roller-coaster ride of prolonged depression, the question of “Am I worth it?” has more than likely arisen many times before. Depression has a way of showing its ugly face day and night, no matter how much effort is put in against it. It leaves one feeling as though the Greek Titan Atlas decided to take a break and leave us holding up the weight of the sky. A weight which is certain to cripple the bearer. As this burden weighs down, one might begin to realize the radiating effect of everything; whether it be friends and family drifting apart to doctor or psychiatric bills piling up. This realization will always lead back to the same pre-mentioned unforgiving question “Am I worth it?”.

This internal struggle to determine what one may think of themselves is the deciding factor between a stable or unstable foundation to the long and seemingly never-ending journey of recovery. Those among us who feel they are not worth it may never be able to fully relieve themselves of the weight that is slowly draining them. They may go through the motions of life never truly feeling fulfilled, always asking if they are worth and deserving of more. The answer to such a large question may not be as direct as one would hope. The truth is that pure non forced happiness does not only exist in this monsoon level hectic nightmare of a world that we sometimes find ourselves in, but every living being is worth and deserving of this euphoric sensation.

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