I am Enough

It's no secret that I have never really thought of myself as having any inner strength or beauty. It's no secret that I have always believed that I am not good enough. I am not enough. The person I am - as a mother, a friend, a wife, an employee, a person - is just not enough for others, or myself.

Within the past few weeks, I have come to realize that much of this has to do with those whom I choose to be around. I have realized there are two kinds of people - those who tear you down, and those who build you up.

There are those who may say the right things at times - "you're a good friend", "you're a good mom", "you're a good person" - but at the same time, have a way of making it well known that you aren't enough for them as you are.

And there are those who say those same words, and their actions and subsequent words back up their belief in you, and in your abilities and worth. 

I have been blessed with people in my life who are that latter type. I have been blessed with people who truly believe I am worth something... who truly believe I am enough. I have been blessed with people who understand when I need a few days (or weeks) of "me time" - something that, as an introvert, I need a lot of. These people don't try to make me feel guilty when I just can't (or frankly don't want to) spend time with them. They don't take it personally. They don't feel like I no longer care about them. They just accept me. And I'm still enough for them.

I have been blessed with people who understand that sometimes I'm a little temperamental, and will get a bit cranky or hurt by something they say or do, even though I really shouldn't react that way. They're willing to take the time to understand why I react the way I do, and work through it with me, without feeling like I am going to leave them, and without making me feel guilty for being me. And I'm still good enough for them.

I have been blessed with people who don't try to build me up with false words stated with ulterior motives - who don't tell me what they think I want to hear in the hopes that I'll spend more time with them, or will choose them first, or will love them more - but rather do build me up with words meant from their heart, because of the beautiful people they are on the inside. They build me up because they are willing to look beyond themselves, and beyond what I show the world, and see me for who I truly am. And I'm still enough for them.

And because I have been blessed with these people, I find that I am believing I do have an inner strength and beauty. I believe I am good enough.

People like this are truly a blessing... and a rare one at that. When you're lucky enough to find that person, hold onto them and love them and return the blessing.

Thank you to those who are such a blessing to me. You are loved dearly.