For what it’s worth.

Worth.

It’s a loaded word.

Money, value, quality, esteem, significance, usefulness, importance, are all descriptors embedded somewhere in the definition of Worth.

It’s heavy.

The weightiness of this word varies depending on which side of those descriptors one falls on.

Determining the worth of something can be so subjective. What is worthless to me may be priceless to you, and vice versa.

In a recent blogpost I titled, Dear Motorcycle Diary, I shared a glimpse into my riding experience. One sentence summed it up, “Another ride for my bank of memories. Growing in value with every sunset – its worth, known only to me.” Some of my readers shared similar feelings they have towards a hobby or interest. They too understood a worth that is priceless.

Each of us determines the worth of something. For me, I value experiences over things. Moments shared, memories made. I place them lovingly and gratefully in my bank. Its value growing in perpetuity. Withdrawals are always free.

In an era when so much is disposable, expendable, the whole construct of Worth has stirred something in me. Perhaps triggered because I am currently going through a purging stage for our home. I absolutely love purging. It feels cathartic to me. A clearing. A cleansing. A freeing, if you will. The empty space grows, leaving more room for what remains to breathe. Claim a space.

I can purge like I’m on a mission. And when I say mission, I’m talking about the mission-critical, time-sensitive, type of situation. It’s on. Full on. When I enter this purging state of consciousness, I surprise myself with how very little attachment I have to things. I can easily let things go, and take great solace in knowing that our time together is complete. They will move on to find another. Another home. Another human owner. Bags and bags of previously loved items go to donation boxes. Arrivederci, little ones. Off you go now. Play nice. My dear friend and fellow business owner, A Sorted Affair, would be so proud of me.

Of course, not at all items are treated this way.

Cards. Cards I keep. I have always treasured cards. I have cards from birthdays long ago. I have cards with my mom’s handwriting. These items are priceless. I open a card that is dated pre-1997, and I have a gift that is not bounded with time. The lightest touch of a pen on paper, marking the familiar loops of my name together with hers.

Its worth known only to me.

An early copy of The Diary of Anne Frank. My most cherished book. This book will forever stand the test of time. I reach for it when I need the enduring voice of a young girl, a wise soul beyond her years. My copy is now missing 1/2 the cover, as my dog mistook it one day (in his early puppy years) as a chew toy. My heart near broke in half when I discovered little paper pieces shredded and scattered on the floor. It was easy to forgive my dog. The irony of this act of forgiveness was not lost on me. After all, forgiveness was a perpetual message of Anne’s. Her words. Her legacy.

Its worth known only to me.

Of course, there are pictures, mementos, and memorabilia entrusted to my bank of priceless treasures. They are deposited gently in boxes and drawers. One such prized item is a 4″X6″ mahogany covered photo album gifted to me by my twin sister – a viewable chronology of our lives, from our formative years to adulthood.

Its worth know only to me.

Holding something in your hands – something of great worth – is a gift in itself. It connects you to something meaningful. Something special. Something timeless. Someone special. A defining moment in our life.

You can make withdrawals and deposits whenever you need them. It’s value growing over time – with every memory, with every pause, with every smile it renders.

Self worth. Yikes.

Deciphering our self-worth. Now that’s a doozy. We have entered fragile territory – there are more emotional fissures and mountains to navigate than ever before.

How does one evaluate self worth?

Sadly, in this era of social media, I fear self-worth is becoming increasingly defined by the # of likes, the # of followers. The gap between real worth and fake worth increasing with every click.

I have no interest in venturing down this rabbit hole, nor for one second would I suggest I know how to decode this new weapon of self-worth mass destruction. We can all agree there is somewhat a universal understanding that the evolution of social media is threatening to push our fragile self-worth over the edge, especially in our youth. One only needs to watch The Social Dilemma for that shock and apprehension.

It’s easy to get absorbed in the neverending scrolling, the constant refreshing, to see who said what. Did what. Momentarily defining our worth in such arbitrary terms – likes and random comments. I would argue that none of us are immune to this. On days when we feel less than, it is human nature to seek reassurance where we can get it. And social media with its constant pulse – often a digital extension of self – will always and without fail, provide a quick fix.

Helpful. No.

Quick. Yes.

Instead of measuring our worth by the number of likes, why not by the quality of laughs around a campfire with friends.

The thank yous and complimentary smiles given to a stranger acknowledging their kind gesture.

The sound of clinks of glasses as we enthusiastically share in a toast. Of congratulations. Of gratitude. Or just because we were due for a good clink. And we all know the rule – you drink after clinks.

The audio attestation of an aha moment when you teach a class. Sharing something worthy of an aha moment. Priceless.

I could go on and on here, but we’re all adults, so you get what I’m saying. Basically, insert anything that brings real joy to your life. Moments of togetherness. Moments of shared vulnerability. Moments of heartfelt gratitude. Sunsets and sunrises.

Not quantity.

Quality.

Purity of moments.

That’s the good stuff.

For what it’s worth.

Thank you for indulging me. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

With gratitude,

Nicole Osmond

Customer Success Coach

As a Customer Success Coach and 3 X business owner, I am living my passion and helping companies succeed by cultivating a customer committed mindset.

A Writer with Heart – I weave words together to stimulate, elevate, and motivate. My blog is my canvas to share my ‘experience nuggets’ with you! Thanks for stopping by! With gratitude, always – Nicole