Worthy

To be honorable; to live decently, with dignity, and to value life. All life. Yes, even them.
“I am worthy, not because of what I know, not because of what I do, it’s simply because I am. I am, and so therefore, I am worthy. A person may have high self-esteem based on what they know, possess or how they look, but struggle endlessly to live up to their perceived potential because they lack a strong foundation of self-worth….When you embrace your self-worth, you know you are sufficient — you are okay as you are, even during times when you feel low and discouraged.” —Bukeka

“When we come from, start with, an unconditional acceptance of ourselves, instead of operating from an anxious, striving place, we will discover a relaxed and grounded sense of being within ourselves. Knowing we are worthy, we can authentically engage with our life, through all its joys and challenges.” —Bob Edelstein

“Generosity is the virtue that produces peace.” —Buddhist saying

When I first came into recovery, I was not feeling particularly generous towards anyone. 
I was either in a confused fog, or I found much to complain about and had many fingers to point out the deficiencies in others that caused ME problems. When I began to take an honest look at my behavior, I wasn’t able to be kind or generous to myself. I began seeing the suffering I had caused and felt worse. As I continued on the path of recovery, with the help of many others who had been in the same dark place I was, I learned to lighten up a little. I needed to address my past behavior, and vow not to repeat it. This opened up a whole new world for me: If I am not going to repeat my behavior, which I’ve been doing for a long time, what was I going to do? Who was I? 

Through my consistent studying, listening to wisdom from others and slowly engaging in a spiritual life the best I could, I began to realize that being generous and kind to myself and to others DID bring a sense of peace and connection. I began to recognize the innate worthiness I did possess. I was able to appreciate and engage in this life, and that I had the capacity to pass that onto others through my example. I am only worthy and whole when I make the effort to be generous, without needing a reward.
Who woulda thought.

“Each individual is responsible for his own fortunes and misfortunes. Each individual is expected to work his own deliverance by his understanding and effort. The Buddha advised men on the conditions which were most wholesome and which were conducive to long term benefit for self and others. Rather than addressing sinners with such words as ‘shameful,’ ‘wicked,’ ‘wretched,’ ‘unworthy,’ and ‘blasphemous,’ He would merely say, ‘You are unwise in acting in such a way since this will bring sorrow upon yourselves and others.’” —Maezumi Roshi

What would it be like if I didn’t have any feelings of unworthiness? It is a scary place when most of my identity was of being confused and un-worthy. It need not be scary; look on it as an amazing opportunity for growth and exploration. Be brave! Feel the joy of growth.

Many children were told that they were a bad boy or girl. If these shaming statements weren’t offset by demonstrations of parental love, these kids’ unconscious minds link perceived badness with feeling unworthy of love. 
In another example, if a child was often told that he or she would never amount to anything, the unconscious feels unworthy of success and it will likely be harder to achieve. Or, when achieved, it may be sabotaged because the person will unconsciously feel that they don’tdeserve it. —Dr. Rick Moss

Some ways we sabotage ourselves:
*We give in to others too much, have a need to please. 
*We find self-validation through others. 
*We avoid others. Feel empty from a self-imposed exile. 
*We criticize others or ourselves and have an accusatory, negative outlook. 
*Think we are all that and a bag of chips too. This is only insecurity and fear.
*We avoid honestly looking at who WE are and what are healthy ways to engage in life.

You are a complete and worthy person; you do not need validation from others. We consider what others say and do, then we choose our path. Every human being has a fundamental nature of Basic Goodness. This nature can be developed in daily life so that it radiates out to family, friends, community and society. We can begin to touch into this unconditional state through meditation, and promote and utilize out worthiness in our everyday lives with awareness and discipline.

When we are confused about the source of happiness, we start to blame the world for our dissatisfaction, expecting it to make us happy. Then we act in ways that bring more confusion and chaos into our lives.
A great deal of chaos in the world occurs because people don’t appreciate themselves, having never developed sympathy and gentleness toward themselves.
When you don’t punish or condemn yourself, when you relax, you begin to contact the fundamental notion of Basic Goodness in yourself. 

“Great is the matter of birth and death. Life slips quickly by. Time waits for no one. Wake up! Wake up! Don’t waste a moment.” —Zen saying

As important as it is that we quit engaging in our addiction, it is equally important, to then beaware of which new behaviors we engage in, that can bring us into the “Sunlight of the Spirit.” 

It is MY choice! I am responsible!
Happiness comes from within; do not look for it without.

How do you fill your bucket? One drop at a time.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
The great arises out of small things that are honored and cared for.

Heart Of Recovery web site – fcheartofrecovery.com