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One of my former colleagues, now a friend, is highly intelligent. She is one of those people who can valuably contribute to any conversation, whatever the topic. In some ways, she is a small encyclopaedia. Despite that, she is often self-conscious and even though she doesn't verbalize it, she usually doubts her abilities as well as her potential. As her friend, I want to sometimes grab her shoulders and shake some sense into her; to show her that she already has within her whatever she needs to be who she wants to be.

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Fear is the biggest reason why many of us don't take the steps we ought to take. We are often afraid of the new when we should embrace it - just as we embrace every new dawn which brings its own blessings and opportunities. Fear prevents us from showing the world our abilities and potential. When we allow fear to hold us back, we are demonstrating two things;

### 1. that we don't believe we have value to add to anything or anyone ### 2. that we don't deserve great things ______________________________________________________________________________________________

This is also true when dealing with other people. No-one is better or more beautiful than us. We all have something that makes us special and that others will see and appreciate if we allow them to see it. We should not waste our thoughts or energy on what other people think of us because just as we are concerned about their opinion of us, they are concerned about our opinion of them. In other words, everyone is seeking acceptance when they should only accept themselves. Do not give people who are like you the power to dictate your own worth. We are all unique and have a lot to offer to the world, if we all allow ourselves to recognize our worth. Next time you doubt yourself or find yourself worrying about what others may or may not think about you, remember the following words and smile with the conviction that the only one whose opinion matters is you :)

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