Have you ever said the words,
I deserve to pursue my dreams,
And immediately felt uncomfortable?
Maybe there was a knot in your stomach,
Or tightening in your chest,
Or just that inner voice saying,
Who do you think you are?
If so,
You're not alone.
That word,
Deserve,
Can trigger a profound emotional response in many people.
I want to explore why that happens and what you can do about it.
The word deserve implies worthiness,
And if you've spent any part of your life being told,
Or made to feel like,
You're not enough,
Those five little letters carry a lot of weight.
You might have grown up hearing,
Don't be selfish,
Or be realistic,
Or you're going to end up as a starving artist.
And over time,
Those messages can turn into limiting beliefs.
That you have to prove your worth.
That success is for other people.
That you have to suffer before you're allowed to thrive.
So when you say,
I deserve success,
Or I deserve to live a joyful life,
It might clash with some deeply rooted internal programming.
And that clash can feel,
Well,
Triggering.
I felt the same way when I started posting affirmations back in 2017.
I had never done that type of content before.
I had already established myself as an author who inspired musicians and creative people.
And this was very different from the stuff I had done before.
And I heard that internal critic saying,
Oh,
People are going to think you've gone all woo-woo.
They're going to abandon you and unsubscribe.
And you know what?
I went ahead and did it anyway.
And I never heard any pushback from anyone.
It was all just the story I was telling myself in my mind.
So here's the good news for you.
That reaction that you have to that word,
Deserve,
It's not a sign that you're broken.
It's a sign post pointing you to an old belief that's ready to be released.
When you notice that clench,
That discomfort,
Instead of thinking,
What's wrong with me?
Try this instead.
Oh,
There's that belief again.
But that's not me.
It's not true.
That's a negative thought I've developed over time.
And now I am unlearning it.
Awareness is the first step to transformation.
Because once you see the pattern,
You have the power to change it.
You can make the shift from unworthiness to worthiness.
And start by gently lowering the volume on that old voice.
You're not good enough.
You haven't earned it.
You're too late or you're too early.
You're too young.
You're too old.
Whatever it is.
And turn up the volume on something deeper and truer.
I am worthy of joy.
I am enough just as I am.
I don't need to prove my worth.
I already am worthy.
It might not feel natural at first,
But that's okay.
This is practice.
And over time,
That new truth begins to take root.
Trust me,
I've been there.
It gets better.
So here's my invitation to you.
The next time you say,
I deserve,
And it makes you squirm,
Pause.
Notice it.
Acknowledge it.
Honor the feeling.
And then speak a new truth into existence.
Because you do deserve to pursue your dreams.
You do deserve a joyful,
Fulfilling life.
And my hope is that you'll come to know that.
Not just in your head,
But in your heart.
Let me know in the comments,
Have you ever struggled with the word deserve?
And what belief are you ready to rewire today?
Thanks for listening.
This is Bob Baker wishing you the best and saying so long for now.
