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As a child, my father was constantly telling me that I was helpless, hopeless, and useless. As I grew, I constantly
told that to myself. That was all that I could see. I couldn't see that I had Billion Dollar Ideas- in fact, I
poo-pooed any memory or thought that came up that told me that the stories I told might be true. I explained away the
Ducks, Geese, and Swans stories as just being how people had to act in those situations. In telling myself many times
daily that I was helpless, hopeless, and useless, I was my own worst enemy and booby-trapped my success. Despite the
fact that many people can recognize at least part of my talents- people who have known me for years- see the helpless
hopeless and useless part more than they can see the talented part. That is one of the most striking consequences of
my abuse- that simply telling me that I was HHH did more to defeat me than all the blows, all the pain, all the humiliation-
it became a part of me. When I wrote the poem The Wonder Child, I had no idea what Discipline of Self-Esteem meant.
I'm still learning the meaning of the phrase. But one thing that I know- there is no way this person is Helpless, Hopeless,
or Useless. With every word of advice I give to the world, I am helpful. With every prayer, I am hopeful.
With every hand raised to help another- and myself- I am useful. I am a tool of God and I give to the world. And
I am sure, that if anyone ever called you helpless, hopeless, or useless- that it is a lie. If I could believe it- anyone
can believe it. If I can overcome it- then you can overcome it also. Believe in yourself. You are a gift
from God.
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