What do you own that is of the most value to you?

 

What do you own that is of the most value to you?  

Recently I have been receiving inquiries from around the world seeking answers for "life changes". The inquiries weren't about money or material items, but about life. We all are seeking that answer to who we are and what we are.  Do you find yourself waking daily seeking the answer to a different path in life?  Are you questioning your life's value?  You are most likely experiencing some inner dissatisfaction, drive, calling, redefinition of purpose, or just seeking to find You.  Many years ago I came across a quote:

Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once

                                            Lillian Dickson

Since that time, I have given away many coins to individuals along with this quote.  We are blessed with this valuable "coin" (life) when we are first brought into this world.  Our coin gains value as we age and face life's challenges and successes.  We learn from mistakes, invest in our health, we gain knowledge, share our life with others, and more. 
 
There is the side of us that tends to threaten our value with destructive thinking, guidance or actions.  I often challenge students and clients with this quote as we discuss issues they are facing in life and in career.  How would you spend each day if you could spend it anyway you wish?  What would you do with your life and career?  We tend to devalue our "coin" (life) because we fail to see our true worth. You have abilities, skills and gifts that could best serve others along with yourself.  You are probably saying, "No kidding."  Well, I challenge you to take a moment and look at the true you.  I bet you look in the mirror daily and see your imperfections. We all become critical of our physical appearance and use make-up, hair products, and more to improve on our physical self.   We may exercise, diet and buy certain brands of clothes believing that we are increasing our worth.  What we are doing is polishing the outward appearance of our "coin".  Our physical health and hygiene is essential to healthy living both physically and mentally.  Our problem is that we tend to spend most of our time looking at our outward selves and not investing in our inner being.

Your "coin" is made up of the physical as well as the emotional or spiritual being.  You do have worth and purpose in life as well as a physical being.  Everyone has value.  We devalue ourselves when we doubt our abilities, compare ourselves to others, and truly not trust in what we were given.  Our "coins" are different and we all carry a different value.  Look at the currency in any country that has a system with coins.  The different value of the coins is determined by the type of materials that are used to create them and the value that is "stamped" on them.  However, I have seen coins with an initial value that is worth very little become more precious than coins of a higher value.  These coins gained value due to experiences and often due to age.  The coins aren't limited in value because of what is "stamped" on them, but limited in the way they are spent.  Some coins of little value end up purchasing items of great value.  Just as coins, we should not limit ourselves to what is "stamped" on our "coin".  We can ultimately change the value without ever changing the initial "cast"/"design" of our coin.  Our value is not limited, but it is how we invest it that limits the potential.  Finding balance of both the physical and emotional or spiritual is essential.  Many coins maintain high value because they are polished and have maintained a solid structure "inside" and "out".

I challenge all you coins out there to look at your self worth.  You are probably asking, "How should I do that?"  Can you create a personal mission statement?  Your challenge is to look inside of yourself and truly listen.  Ask questions around what you would do if you could do anything you wanted in life (within reason).  Once you answer those questions, evaluate the answers.  Are these adding true value to your "coin" or are they just "things" that you want?  How do your answers affect those around you?  Do you add value to others' coins with your answers?  Oh, oh.  I just threw another issue at you and will save it for another time: "How do we add value to  others' coins?"   I want you to write a one sentence mission statement based on what you find in your search of you.  Here is my personal mission statement that helped me establish my life's purpose: "To help all those who cross my path find true Joy, Peace and Happiness in life."

This is what I suggest you do.  I want you to find a coin of any material value.  Take the coin and write on it with a permanent marker the date and sign it.  Carry this coin with you and use it to remind you that you can spend your life anyway you choose.  Please try not to spend the coin, but carry it with you throughout life.  Some of you may want to change coins as you go through life, that is fine as well.  We all change and along with that our "coins" change.  Just remind yourself that you have value and are not limited by your perceptions of you.  Please email me at thetajlgroup@gmail.com or contact me via my website www.thetajlgroup.com and share your stories.  I would love to hear from you and collaborate on increasing our "coin" values.  You Rock, so enjoy this one life you have to the fullest.