Trainer Tip: Accepting our true feelings, needs and values can lead us to a more compassionate life. Are you being true to yourself? Trainer Tip The greatest thing in the world isto know how to be one’s own self.—Michel Eyquem de Montaigne Many years ago, I reached an all-time low in my self-esteem. I really thought that I didn’t deserve love. I realized that I had spent years running from this belief, striving for more promotions and recognition so that I could hide my deep fear that I was a worthless human being. I was terrified of being “found out.” Then, one day I decided to stop the race. I wanted to face up to the fear. If I was a worthless person, then I wanted to accept this fact and figure out how to live within that reality. Or, if I was a valuable human being, I wanted to know that, so I could stop the messages of worthlessness that ran incessantly through my head. In a sense, I longed to know who I was, not who I told myself I was. I began to face myself honestly that day, and embarked on a journey of discovering my feelings, needs and values. I learned that everyone is valuable, lovable and important to our world’s evolution. Now I concern myself more with living in harmony with my needs and values, which I see as my true self.Thought for the Day: Be aware of your value today, and act accordingly. This trainer tip is an excerpt from Mary Mackenzie's book Peaceful Living, available from PuddleDancer Press. Keywords: consciousness feelings honesty needs self empathy compassion healing inner critic self compassion self talk values self connection authenticity vulnerability Mary Mackenzie