Dissonance and Self-Worth

Once upon a time, 7 billion people, or at the very least 300 million American people I know this story applies to, grew up with the idea that they are wholly inferior. That story was told from many different perspectives: religion (you are not good, you need God or your chosen deity to sanctify and cleanse you to make you suitable for saving), entertainment (buy this because your life is incomplete without it; the only people you see on tv and in movies won't look like you no matter who you are, but especially if you're a racial, sexual, ability, age, etc., minority), life in general (if someone makes 1% higher than you on a test, you automatically set up a hierarchy of intelligence). That story was also found to be inescapable; it was heard no matter where people went, and the most saddening part of that is people heard it so much that they began to repeat it to themselves in their solitude. So, it is no wonder that finding self-worth, personal truths, and the belief that one is enough is something that seemed to happen later rather than sooner, that people had to struggle under the weight of criticism from self and others before they found the truth that is their light and inherent value, and that some even found ways to hurt others because they were hurting. So, what happened to those who found a way to change this story, to discard it or accept it and move on to something brighter?

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

I've put a lot of stock into turning 25. I have dubbed it my 'Get My Shit Together Year.' My birthday is in a little over three weeks, and as that date approaches, I'm noticing some significant changes in myself. I'm a lot less confused about where I stand on different issues and what my opinion is, and much more inclined to be firm about where I am and be okay with that. I believe that we can set up self-fulfilling prophecies and wonder if that's what has been going on, or if it's the natural progression of who I've been for the past year or so.