“Just being ourselves is the biggest fear of humans. We have learned to live our life trying to satisfy other people’s demands. We have learned to live by other people’s points of view because of the fear of not being accepted and of not being good enough for someone else.”
~ Don Miguel Ruiz
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
~ Lao Tze, Tao Te Ching
Not only have we been taught that we’re not enough, but many of us believe that telling ourselves that ‘it’s not enough’ is motivating. Yet while you may push yourself a little harder when you tell yourself you’re not enough you also find you run out of steam faster, get discouraged and have fewer creative ideas to move you towards what you want.
Telling ourselves that we are not enough is actually a form of mental abuse. It continues to beat down our sense of curiosity, experimentation and creativity. When we believe we’re not enough we deny ourselves all kinds of joy and opportunities. Tell someone they are not enough and watch them contract into a tiny ball. Growth expands and moves outward. They are opposites.
How did you get the message growing up that you weren’t enough? From who?
How have you played it out in your life?
What areas of your life to you abuse yourself the most for not being enough?
Here’s the big question, one worth spending some time with: What would you do differently if you believed you were enough?
There are many tools you can use to dismantle these beliefs, but first you must be aware of them. Being aware is the first step. Feel free to share your questions, comments and ideas here!