Pennies

I’m sure you’ve heard “Find a penny, pick it up. All day long you’ll have good luck.” I’ve taken that one to heart for a long time. I found a penny laying in the parking lot at a gas station recently. I didn’t realize it was a penny at first, I almost missed seeing it entirely. This penny had been drove over and mashed so many times, that there was no making out if the side that was up was heads or tails. After picking it up and flipping it over, I discovered that the maimed side that was up was in fact heads. It was weathered and worn worse than most coins I’ve seen. There were so many scuffs and scratches, you couldn’t make out Lincoln’s face or see any of the writing. The back had some wear and tear, but not compared to the front. The heads side of it was discolored while the back side was still somewhat shiny. It was in rough shape. Despite the looks of it, its value didn’t change. That penny, no matter how disfigured it was, is still worth a cent. Upon picking it up, I could have walked right into that gas station and spent it just the same despite its appearance.

Now it’s just a measly penny, but something about it spoke to me. We’ve all had incidents happen to us that have left us scratched and blemished. Just because you’ve experienced something terrible, does not change your value. No matter what, you are still valuable. Value is to be found inside of yourself, nowhere else. Your individual value comes from who you are within and not what has happened to you in the past. It does not come from anyone else’s opinions of you including family, friends, acquaintances, and especially not strangers. It does not come from how the outside world views you. Value is determined by no one other than the person reading this, YOU. In a way, we’re all similar to that penny. That’s just my two cents, take it as you will.

I’ve tussled with this one for a long period of time and chose to not see myself in a good light. I was my own worst critic and singled out the inferior parts of me, completely ignoring the admirable qualities. I hurt no one but myself by dragging me through the mud. I’ve chosen to see myself in a much brighter aspect lately. Let me tell you, how you think of yourself and talk to yourself matters. It’s a night and day difference. I was once told by a wise man that I should place a high value on my head. I wholeheartedly believe that’s great advice for everyone to heed. Be kind to yourself. Encourage yourself and tell yourself the words you wish other people would tell you.

Some days you might feel like that flawed penny, but you’re worth so much more. Give yourself the recognition you deserve, and place a high value on your own head. You are valuable.