By HAROLD KELLER

Many people that I deal with have very low self-images. Developing a healthy, positive image of oneself, in some cases, is a very tall, almost impossible task. It takes work and lots of encouragement from others.

I often use the following story that I heard a few months ago.

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up.

He said, “I am going to give this to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still, the hands were up in the air.

“Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” He dropped it and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” he asked. Still, hands went into the air.

My friends, you all have learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it, because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.”

Many times in your life, you are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions you make and the circumstances that come your way. You feel that you are worthless but no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to God and to those who love you.

The worth of your life comes, not in what you do, or whom you know, but by who you are. You are special! Don’t ever forget it!

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477.