In Peter Scazzero’s book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality he talks about three powerful temptations that threaten our self worth. They are as follows:

1. I am what I do (performance) – this is where we get our self worth based on our achievements. What have we done or achieved?
2. I am what I have (possessions) – this is where we get our self worth based on what we own or possess. How much money have we made or how many expensive possessions do we own?
3. I am what others think (popularity) – this is where we get our self worth based on what others think of us. How do we change ourselves to fit in and feel accepted?

True freedom comes when we know inside ourselves that we are lovable and good enough. Not based on what we do, what we own or how many people approve of us, but based on the fact that we were given life and born of love. To get to this point we have to see past the temptations of society and go deeper within ourselves to know ourselves and love ourselves.

When you get married you say you will love this person for better or worse, in sickness and in health, and for richer or poorer. But can you love yourself the same way? It is hard to love someone else like that if we don’t have the same standards for ourselves. Loving and accepting yourself is the key to true self worth that does not ebb and flow based on outside circumstances. This is how to create inner peace and true happiness. What are some things you can think of that you could do to start to create inner happiness in your life?