What is my self worth?
I have pondered this question during an hour drive between one city to another. It's been mental gymnastics involving position, personality, performance, productivity and profitability. Then, within a moment of revelation I received emotional resonation. There are five criteria of my value and self-worth:
Criteria #1 Relationship - Fundamentally, I have three relationships. First, God. Second, my neighbors. Third, my self.
God - There is an entire Book written about God; Father, Son, Spirit...Creator, Redeemer, Friend...Theology proper and practical is not my point. I have a relationship with God by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works so that no-one can boast.
Neighbors - I'm in more relationships that with the guy next door. By neighbors I'm talking about any human being on the planet with whom there is interpersonal communication. My wife, children, relatives, friends, clients, vendors...and this list grows long.
Self - Within this body is heart, soul, mind and strength. Relationship with God, people and me are criteria for my value and self worth. This leads me to...
Criteria #2 Heart - The first thing that comes to mind is Valentines Day back in elementary school when I cut out red construction paper and wrote to Ms. Musto, my third grade teacher, "Will you be my Valentine?" I loved that woman. When Mom took me to the hospital and Doctor F took out my erupting appendix, Ms. Musto brought my buddy Erik to visit. They stopped at the Locker Room athletic store and bought a classic Fran Tarkenton poster...(it's still at Mom's house). But that's another story. And that's not the heart I'm talking about. The next thing that comes to mind is the ol ticker. Mr. Cardio that doesn't get enough exercise and a guy over 35 must check in with his MD prior to embarking on triathlon training. No. That's not the heart I mean. And neither is Rambo, Braveheart, or what's the guys’ name who acts on 24?!?! The heart is my center thoughts. This is where daily intrapersonal conversation goes on. It's the "Top 6 Task List" and the Wall Street Journal and "what's for Breakfast, lunch and dinner?" The heart is the playground for self-talk and the battleground for spiritual warfare, too. My heart is the centre for intrapersonal conversation. Heart is a criterion for my value and self-worth. This leads me to another topic...
Criteria #3 Soul - No...Not the soul train! And not that eternal ****ed or saved part me that back country preachers claim are "goin ta hell in a hand basket or to da pearly gates to see St. Peter!" Nah. Soul is the five senses: seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and touching. Many animals have such senses as my soul. It is the common connection between humans and the creatures we've been given authority to rule. Soul is a criterion for my value and self-image. Next...
Criteria #4 Mind - Did you ever see the Bugs Bunny show where the big headed Martian chased bugs? Or the mad scientist in his laboratory cooking something kooky? To some extent intelligence is mind. But a crazy cartoon just doesn't capture the meaning. Mind is deep thought. This is the seat of our emotions. The inner world that motivates us. The secret place of sub-conscious belief. Here in the mind is where psychotherapy and deep healing are most prevalent for us common folk who live in a fallen world. This is the Hard Drive for human beings. This is where Spirit speaks to spirit the deep things of God. Mind is a criterion for my value and self-mage. And finally...
Criteria #5 Strength - The first picture that popped into my "heart" is Arnold Swartzenhager in his prime fitness years as Mr. Universe. But that's not it. Next picture...The Russian Olympic Power Lifting Champion of the World. Nope. Strength is my ability, might and power. Ability is that God given potential. Like a talent or bent toward something like piano or leadership. This is where the gifts (or charisma) of the spirit are contained. The charisma of teaching, administration, encouragement, service, and such are all part of this ability. Might is the capacity of a thing. Some people need 6 hours of rest in the evening for a healthy body. Others need 9 or more. Nine is about right for me. Any more and I get a headache. Less than eight and I need a nap. One person could have the gift of administration with more or less than other person with the same ability. That's might. Power is influence. A healthy human being has at least 56 people in their field of relationships whereby power or the ability to influence is prevalent. Strength is a criterion for my value and self image.
The question: what is the criterion of my value and self image?
The answer: heart, soul, mind, and strength in relationship.