Dignity is another one of the values we hold at Peace Learning Center. Again, turning to Merriam-Webster for a definition, it reads, “the quality of being worthy of honor or respect.” Like respect, we can decide to give ourselves our own dignity. We decide we are worthwhile, we decide we are worth honor, we decide we are worth respect. Allowing yourself dignity leads to knowing you are worth the world. Every person on this earth deserves to think they are the bees knees. It’s important to always be your own cheerleader because you’re worth it all.
I think dignity goes along with self-love. Look around, there’s a million ways to “improve” your looks. There’s a website for every which way to better yourself, but in all these ways, you are who you are. At the end of the day, it’s you and yourself. Regardless of what you look like, or how you act, you should be happy with yourself. I know I’m not the funniest person in the world, but I think my jokes are great. I’ll provide my own laughter after a punchline. Sometimes I would not mind being a few inches taller, but I also dig my shortness for group photos. At the end of the day, I find peace with myself and I love myself.
I say self-love, but I don’t mean to become a narcissist and declare yourself higher than anyone else. When you learn to love yourself and realize your worth, it shows. When you allow your light to shine, people see it. People see you respecting yourself, and when you see the respect someone demands for themselves, they get it. Hold tight to your dignity, everyone deserves it, everyone starts with it. Do not lose it, do not rob it from someone else, and do not give it up.
