Sometimes I like to listen to podcasts when I eat breakfast. Usually, my plate is clean within 5 minutes of starting an episode, which barely gets me through the list of sponsors. 

In the morning, I opt for something that’s motivating and inspirational. Something that will get me thinking about different ways to approach life and its challenges, whether its work, relationship or spiritually-related. Today’s choice was Lewis Howe’s School of Greatness featuring Kyle Cease in an episode titled “How to Manifest Wealth & Abundance.” 

Sounds like a trendy, witchy vibes title, but I do think there’s something to be said about the idea of a mindset shift. Manifestation and the Law of Attraction is just a hip way to say perspective change. Growing up in church, we did this all the time in Sunday School with sound-offs of “Attitude Check? Praise the Lord!” The difference is in the source of abundance, but both views call for a posture of gratitude and submission to something greater.

Anyway, I’m listening to this podcast because I’m in a place where I’m feeling a little discouraged in the job hunt, I’m nervous about the future of my finances, and I’m eager to start building wealth for myself and our future family. Some days, I look back at my life and try to remember that it really will all work out; other days, I’m flustered and down, thinking I’m not good enough for this job or that position is out of my range. 

“Do you understand how much more valuable you are than money?”

This statement in the pod forced me to pause.

“Do you understand how valuable you are?”

Lately, I’ve attached my value to my job status. If I’m productive, I’m contributing and not deemed lazy. If I’m working, I have money and seen as successful. But these aren’t necessarily true. Just because I don’t have a full-time job, doesn’t mean I’m not contributing in my home, in my relationships, in my work with the nonprofit. Nor is money equivalent to success.

This is all misplaced value. 

As a Christian, my value is in my faith identity as a loved child of God. In my family, my value is in my identity as a daughter and sister who belongs. In my relationship, my value is in my identity as a desired partner. In my friend group, my value is in my identity as a kind, safe and trusted person. In my work with the nonprofit, my value is in my identity as a compassionate ally.

Value isn’t dependent on action. Value is a matter of being.

So instead of chasing after the career, the money, the relationship, the experiences, the purpose (because, spoiler alert, if I’m always chasing, I’m never really reaching), what if I just let myself be? Not to say I shouldn’t work hard and learn things that can help me along the way, because that’s important too; but what if I just valued me and the moments I get to have every day, instead of racing after things I probably don’t really want anyway?

I have my identity already. There are always evolving components, but the value already exists. As rad as it would be if my name was spelled $heridan, I’m glad it’s not. Because Sheridan as I am is way more valuable than a dollar sign.

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A reminder for anyone else needing it: You are valuable. You are worth the air your breathing. And there’s nothing you need to do or anything else you need to be to prove that value and worth. It exists because you exist. 

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