I Won a Million Dollars! (Not Really, But Let’s Talk About Winning in Life)
- Deborah Ann Minke
- Jul 26
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
I won a million dollars! Okay, okay, you caught me. I didn’t win a million dollars. But how often do we doubt our ability to win other opportunities in life? We limit ourselves with negative thoughts.
I won’t get that job.
I am not smart enough.
I am not good at sports.
I am not pretty enough.
I am ugly.
I can’t do that.
I will never get married.
I will never have money.
Sound familiar? We all have limiting beliefs. These beliefs can stop us from succeeding. If you’ve read any of my other writings, you might notice a recurring theme:
Our Biggest Enemy: Limiting Beliefs
Sometimes, our biggest enemy is ourselves and our limiting beliefs! We often struggle to love ourselves or believe in our worthiness. I know this feeling all too well because I believed it for what felt like my entire life!
I believed those lies. But guess what? We all believe these lies to some extent. I was shocked when I took a course on healing and discovered that many of us live our lives believing a multitude of these lies. Why do we do this? It could be due to what others have told us—people who didn’t believe in themselves either. Perhaps we failed at something when we were young, or we faced humiliation as teenagers. I remember dropping my ice cream cone at the roller-skating rink (yes, that was me!). Life can be a scary and hurtful place.
But here’s the truth: You are not alone in your fears! Bad things happen, but how we process them makes all the difference.
What If We Loved Ourselves?
What if we loved ourselves? What kind of world would that create? I thought you’d never ask!
Imagine a world filled with love. When we love ourselves, we naturally extend that love to others. We become kind, caring, and compassionate. The negativity in this world often stems from those who don’t love themselves. They, too, have believed lies about their worth.
What if we believed in ourselves? What dreams would we pursue? The ideas that changed the world came from individuals who believed in themselves despite their fears and doubts. Yes, they had doubts too, but they didn’t let that stop them! They pushed through the fear.
My Journey: Starting a Business in My 50s
Do you think starting my own business, focused on empowering children, was easy for me in my 50s? My thoughts were a whirlwind of doubt:
You have got to be kidding me!
I am too old!
Who will want to listen to me?
Working with kids again?
Didn’t I retire from the school system?
Who will care about my experiences?
I am not a business person!
I have to talk to accountants and lawyers? Whaaaat?
How in the world do I set up a website?
I have no money; how do I start a business?
I could go on and on, but you get the idea!
The Power of Self-Acceptance
What if we approved of ourselves? Can you imagine the peace and joy that would replace all those negative thoughts? Accepting ourselves—flaws and all—would change our lives. It would give us the strength to reach for our goals and dreams. Plus, it would help calm our crazy emotions! (I definitely didn’t just yell at my fur baby for eating something off the floor that he shouldn’t have. It was his dad’s fault!)
So, I’m asking you, please, please, please love yourself! Believe in yourself! Approve of yourself! Together, we can make this world a better place for us all. Thank you for being here on this journey with me.
Deborah Ann Minke, M.A, B. Ed, OCT, CH-C
Energize and Rise LLC
(I write my own blogs :)
---
Conclusion: Embracing Our Worth
In conclusion, embracing our worth is vital. We must challenge those limiting beliefs that hold us back. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Let’s support each other in loving ourselves and believing in our potential.
Final Thoughts
As we navigate life’s challenges, let’s remember that self-love is the foundation for everything else. When we nurture our self-esteem, we empower ourselves to face the world with confidence.
Let’s rise together!
Deborah Ann Minke, M.A., B.Ed., OCT, CH-C
Energize and Rise LLC
(I write my own blogs :)
Comments