How much are we valued?

What are we worth? I mean to those around us how much do they value us or do they only value what we do or bring to the 'table'?

For many years I have been looking for a recognition of my value and worth in the job that I do and its really clear to me that this has been a mistake in so many ways. Some of the stakeholders you work with make you feel valued and this is important but can be easily smashed by those around you who see no worth in what you do unless it benefits them in some way.

In an environment where we are constantly encouraged to praise and lift up the students we work with, the amount of praise and lifting up we receive from those around us is limited to those we have become close to.

Unless of course you are 'important'. Unless you are one of those for whom time is given for development and opportunities are shared.

My conclusion is this. Its been said that you can live under the radar and never be noticed - for example shows like X-factor unearth talented people who never got the breaks. However, I also believe its true that for some the radar is never pointed in their direction and so they tick along doing good things but never are lifted up - unless they hit an area which makes others look good for a moment in time.

So where does worth come from? Those we love, care for and trust, family and friends, a belief structure of some kind, an idea of faith.

WE are ALL worth A LOT. In fact we are all IRREPLACEABLE in this world and what we need to do is make sure that those around us who we care about know this.

Its all about being an encourager of others. Giving out not getting in.

So let those who ignore you continue to do so. Those who matter to you are the ones who are saying 'Go for it! You can do it!' These are the people who matter - the ones who give you worth...and I thank all of those who do this for me.