It's Kind of Embarrassing

Appreciating myself is a concept that I have never given much thought to before seeing this challenge. This caused me to look up the definition of the word, "appreciate:" to recognize the full worth of of something or someone. That hit me like a ton of bricks.

I then wondered if I had ever fully appreciated and expressed the totality of the worth I felt in the lives of those I loved? I considered those "things" that I most appreciated about them individually. That immediately humbled me and I wanted to offer apologies for not being able to bare my heart and soul so they could each see the impact they have had in my life. How could I ever measure up to that kind of worth? Simply said, "I can't." But I am resolving to try harder to express my specific and heartfelt appreciation to them because of this challenge.

What I have appreciated/relied upon in my own life to get me from one step to another is a combination of nature and nurture. I do appreciate the DNA left to me from a legacy of ancestors who daily give me the strength and stubbornness to carry on whenever I have wanted to just quit. Somehow, I am urged forward and there is much worth in that attitude.

It goes without saying, I appreciate that I said "YES" to God as my Creator, Savior, Comforter, Author of my future, and my Guide. I can't even imagine trying to live life without Him.

I also think that making a concerted effort/resolve in life to become better and not bitter has served me well. Many times I have been disappointed, hurt, or rejected, but eternal hope springs from within...probably due to my faith. I have a teachable and forgiving spirit.

I appreciate that I have lived a full life, had many experiences, touched a few lives to make them better in some small way or another, laughed hard and often, and stopped to smell the roses along the way.

Being able to get an education was a blessing and a dream come true. To be able to take that education, enjoy the benefits, serve others, and then teach those skills to others was like a gift that keeps on giving. I appreciate that I was able to do just that!

Being a mother, a grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and a friend is something that I have cherished and something that I am proud of and identify with with a big smile on my face.

I also appreciate the fact that I love and nurture fur babies, birds, and nature. I see and hear and feel God in all of that...I'm glad that I haven't missed out on those opportunities, either.

Knowing that life is about people and not things has helped to carry me through times when money was scarce. Having money never changed who I was on the inside, either. I've always known that I couldn't take possessions with me, so I gave a lot of it away when I had the means to give. That made me feel good about myself.

I also value that I have enough self-preservation to set boundaries and stand up for myself, my faith, my core beliefs. I don't do this with malice or at the expense of others, but if I don't value myself, nobody else will, either. There is a time when enough is enough.

If I had to admire something in myself, it is that I love learning. I learn something new and fantastic every day of my life. I seldom get bored. I just focus on a topic to learn more about.

Thank you for this challenge! It caused me to appreciate the world, my family, and even myself a bit more :)