Value

It can be rather easy to see the value of a thing. Just walk into a department store and look at the prices. Merchants have given value to their products. Of course, this is in no way related to actual product value to consumers but more a value attributed to give merchants their profit and to try and convince consumers that the product will be of great value to them.

Sometimes we fall for it. Other times, we don't. It depends on what value we do actually put on the product.

For example, I put a lot of value on organic foods vs non-organic. So I am most likely willing to pay more and, in return, I expect that the foods are TRULY organic.

But what about the value that we place on ourselves as individual- wives; husbands; mothers; fathers; sisters; brothers; daughters; sons; friends... That becomes a different story for most of us.

I have no trouble whatsoever recognizing the value of each individual member of my family. It is tremendous! I cannot even imagine my life without them and try to remember this each and every day. It's easy really. Same thing goes for friends- so easy. Including my wonderful blogging friends whom I've never met in person but who, through blogging, have made such a tremendous impact on my life.

What about valuing ourselves though? Not so easy. Why is that? With all the 'hats' we wear, how can we not see just how valuable we are to others and to ourselves?

Had I valued myself throughout these last 20+ years, I would have taken much better care of myself. I would already have been eating foods that were healthy. I would already have been fit. I would have already weighed my ideal weight. None of that held true. Because I didn't value myself.

I think it's easy for mothers to believe that what we do is good for our families and helpful but not valuable. Maybe we think we'd easily be replaced. Maybe we have been led to believe that those close to us don't value us that much so why should we value ourselves. Maybe we find it difficult to give value to someone whose job includes wiping noses and scrubbing toilets. Maybe we're just so focused on nurturing others that we forget about ourselves or take ourselves (our health and well being) for granted. Or maybe it's a combination of all that and more.

Regardless, I am here to tell each and every one of you that you are extremely valuable! There is value in your opinion. There is value in the way you do things. There is value in the way you touch every single life you come into contact with. Without you, the people around you would be missing a huge and very important piece of their lives.

If you are on this path to health and fitness, stay on it. You are worth it! While it may be difficult to assign value to yourself, do it anyway. Too many people have attributed great value to you for you not to recognize it and take great care of yourself. After all, you are the cherries on top!

Go ahead, assign great value to yourself. I triple dog dare you!

This is the twenty-second day of the A-Z April Challenge. I thought I might try a theme this year and focus on my personal journey to health and fitness, including weight loss.

Today's letter is V and my word for the day is VALUE.