“Self-worth, that I have value,” Kelly responded quickly. I had asked, “What was most meaningful to you out of the topics we covered?” It was the end of our five sessions together at Pathways for Change, and I wanted a sense of what was important to the women. Because of drug or alcohol use/addiction, their children were in foster care while they received treatment as well as counseling, mentoring, and education. They were supported in every aspect of their recovery. My role was to cover the topics: Self-esteem, Change, Anger, Stress, Courage, Overcoming Obstacles, Trust, Hope, Happiness, and Success. It was a wide range of material which promoted deep discussions every week. I never knew what would come up, so my background in counseling helped immensely. The material was only as good as it was applicable to their everyday struggles.
Another young woman said, “Feeling stronger. You’re good at empowering women.” I appreciated the compliment mostly because it meant she was gaining confidence in herself. Another identified, “Success. That it isn’t just the stuff we have, it’s who we are, and I can be successful.” For Amanda, “Courage. I know I have the strength to be a better person.” Each comment reflected increasing confidence.
“Self-worth” is the power by which the women can choose to live differently. I call it our “psychological blood,” every bit as important as the red stuff the flows through our bodies. It’s not easy, what these women are doing. They’ve lost so-called “friends” who want nothing to do with their recovery; several have even had to distance themselves from family members, like a mother or father, who do drugs or are alcoholics. Self-esteem is the strength that allows them to make such hard decisions and look for new, supportive family or friends.
Self-worth. That’s what enables these women – and all of us – to grow into whole, productive, loving people.
by Kathleen Vestal Logan, MS, MA July 21, 2017