I Am Worthy: Excerpts from Chapter 1

The terms self-worth and self esteem are frequently used interchangeably. But they are not the same. The Webster’s dictionary defines self-esteem as a feeling of pride in oneself. Self-worth is defined as the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect. 

Self-esteem is externally driven, often reinforced by social and cultural values of behavior, knowledge, appearance and material wealth.  Self-worth is internal, inherently bestowed upon every living being, unrelated to life conditions. It’s the foundation of self-respect and esteem. A person may have high self-esteem based on what they know, possess or how they look, but struggle endlessly to live up to their perceived potential. These individuals lack the self-worth that allows them to love themselves unconditionally. A dear friend years ago taught me a mantra that resonates with me to this day: I am worthy, simply because I am, Iam. 

We often see ourselves and others as being worthy based on the balance in our bank accounts or accumulation of material possessions. We judge others’ worth based on the degree of their life achievement and how much more they’ve accomplished compared to someone else. None of this has anything to do with self-worth. We are worthy simply because we exist.

When you acknowledge your self-worth, you know you are sufficient – you are okay as you are, even during times when you feel low and discouraged. And conversely, when you have the world by the tail, and everything you touch turns to gold, you remember you are ultimately the same as everyone else. You avoid developing an oversized ego, and maintain a sense of gratitude, never taking what you have for granted.

Throughout the span of humanity there are ongoing episodes of people believing their worth is being threatened. At that point they immediately move into a mode of survival; fight or flight.  To counter the impending threat a common tactic is to devalue or attempt to diminish the worth of others as a means to maintain their own.

The survival of a race, an economic way of life, or position of power, can spur humans (and it has been proven time and again) to literally, kill, demonize, and victimize others to keep what they believe they have the right to have and maintain for fear of losing it. It is a fear stemming from limited thinking of resources and a core belief that if one person is worthy then another cannot be.

But if we are to believe that our own worth is intrinsic simply because of our mere existence then it must be true for everyone else, despite the behavior or actions exhibited. 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF MY FOCUS GROUP?

If you would like to be part of my focus group for this book, please send an email to bukeka@bukeka.com. For doing so you will receive the following:

1. Each completed chapter in PDF upon it's completion
2. The Process worksheet
3. An email with Chapter questions to be returned with your answers and; 
4. A free signed copy of the book within the first 100 copies/first come first serve basis. 

 SUPPORT IN TRAVELS TO SOUTH AFRICA

Robin Goff, Executive Director of the Light Center in Baldwin, Kansas is wanting me to come to South Africa to work with parents and children on the self-worth. This is a tremendous opportunity. Your donations and network partners to help me on this journey would be greatly appreciated. You may go to www.Bukeka.com to make donations (just scroll down on the first page of site). If you would like for me to meet of network with a potential corporate sponsor that would also be greatly appreciated. You can send that information so Bukeka@Bukeka.com. 

Thank you!

Love and Blessings

Bukeka

Worthy Dead or Alive

It is no secret that businesses can and do take out life insurance policies on individuals working for their company. It is a common practice to insure the lives of key personnel including executives, partners, and people deemed “essential”, so in the event of their death, the company will have income enough to keep the company afloat or to hire someone with equal knowledge and value. This type of policy is called corporate-owned life insurance or COLI. The value of the policy is generally based on the compensation or expertise of the deceased. It is not meant to add to a company’s profit or bottom line.

In April 2002 the Wall Street Journal ran an article written by staff reporters Ellen E. Schultz and Theo Francis entitled “Companies Profit on Workers' Deaths Through 'Dead Peasants' Insurance”, something at the time was deemed “as widespread as it is little-known”.  The article cited the case of Felipe Tillman of Tulsa, Oklahoma who at 29 years old, died of complications from AIDS.  Felipe had not purchased life insurance but the company he worked for CM Holdings Inc did. The company received a death benefit of $339,302 in Felipe’s name even though his employment ended before his death.

Here is what is known about Dead Peasant Insurance:

• It provides a tax break to companies that purchase the policies.
• Companies may take out loans using the cash value of the life insurance policy as collateral.
• Companies have used death benefits to make good on executive bonuses.
• Policies are now written on lower level or “rank and file” employees at amounts that far out way their salary or seniority.
• A death benefit can be paid to the company even when the employee no longer works there.
• Younger employees who die offer larger payouts than older workers due to actuarial computations that figure they are less likely to die young therefore “the same premium amount buys more coverage for them.”
• Though this practice began to boom in the 1980’s, employers were not required to tell employees until 2006. Even still these policies are often done without the employee’s knowledge.   

Some people find this practice acceptable and perfectly within the right of employers. They argue if the company pays the premium then the company should get the benefit. Others would say that their primary objection is the fact that companies have deducted the interest expense for loans from COLI policies from their taxes. However Congress has stepped up on restricting these instances where the interest is allowed to be tax deductible. Then there are those who find the practice appalling and several families have been successful in suing companies for taking out policies on employees without their knowing.

For those that are appalled, you may decide to take a stand and boycott the list of companies that maintain such a practice. If so, be prepared because you will likely not be able to cool or heat your home, use your credit card, talk on the phone, or clean your home, and if you like your whites whiter than white then “forgetaboutit”.   

Many companies track the employees who have left their employment, but anticipate receiving a death benefit by checking the Social Security Administration's database of deaths. So, if you are unsure whether or not you have value and worth – simply because you exist, all you have to do is ask your current or previous employer to find out if you are lucky enough to be on their list.

An Evening with Michael Bernard Beckwith and Robert Thurman

On the night of this event, 400 or more people were in the audience and my view was obscured, so I took notes. During intermission I had the chance to speak with Michael. It was the best I'd heard of him and Robert Thurman was incredible as well. Please share your comments and thoughts. Peace and Blessings. Bukeka

An evening with Robert Thurman-Theologian and First Monk ordained in the West and actress Uma Thuman's father AND Michael Bernard Beckwith founder of Agape International and starred in The Secret. The evening presented by  Beyond Words publishing at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland, Oregon September 10th 2010

Notes:
B - Beckwith 
T - Thurman


T-About awakening  "Wake up and don't go back to sleep".

T says this is a Beckwith saying he likes."Ask what makes you come alive and then go do that."

T- "Reality itself is alright. We are capable of understanding reality as bliss. How we understand reality matters".

B-Awareness is an event that takes place in consciousness. An insight a revelation. Michael's awareness of God came to him as "Love/Beauty/intelligence"

Jettison the grit and the dirt. We are radically unique. Surrender yielding to the next stage of our own evolution.

Deep inquiry that informs our actions.

T-Points to  Beckwith qoute "We're alight already."

Suffer or joy we're alright already. Part of Americans suffering is due to not feeling at home in this country because it was taken by  committing genocide.

Analysis of the mind- to free ourselves we must understand our suffering.

When I have the experience of reality. You realize you are everybody else. Buddha says about his enlightment "It was the opposite of what I expected." He had to understand suffering in order to know the way to happiness and he had to come the realization that this was  what he wanted and chose to experience. This was enlightenment.

It's all bliss including Frustration.  Buddha sees all the world as a mother sees her only child. Wanting to care for  her suffering child.

You vs the Universe is suffering.

B-individual means undivided.

Equanimity-this is key

T-Why jesus was woman
Could whip a meal for huge crowd in minutes.
Hung around a bunch of guys and taught them what she knew,  and they still didn't get it
After you die there is work still to be done.

B-imagine yourself living just as you are for all eternity w/o transformation. This is hell.

Profound happiness is compassion for others.
The lack of altruism causes suffering. Human life develops empathy for others. Skin is not the boundary.

T-The mother/child relationship the ability to experience love in a profound way. Imagine Dick Chaney as a loving mother. Jokingly T says Imagine suckling from his teet to demonstrate knowing the Divine nature of Chaney-big audience laughter-B says there's no way he can imagine that. They joke about that several times throughout the presentation.

B-Insight are these qualities kindness, empathy, longing to be released. Reality is a state of Nirvana. Altered state is anger and separation.

T-We have to love the evil doers.
 
B-anguish and bliss so close together. One day he became aware of every mistake he ever made. "Then in an instant I saw myself as seen by the infinite and my suffering went away. I thought I was fine and then it happened again the next week" answer is continuously see ourselves as the Divine sees us.

T-one of things he does that is amazing. When he Da Li lama is depressed he comes out of  it through compassion.

B-I'm in divine flow of all needs met

Look up-Healthy economist
Enlightened economist
(Columbia University)

We're here to help society evolve.
Based on questions from audience:

T-Question about Withdrawing  politically
The way we understand evil is to recognize it within ourselves. That means we will not hate. They can in a loving way be political. Be compassionate.

B-Compassion is the highest form of love. How can we help evolve without the attachment to the outcome.

Non-attachment: being involved without attachment to the outcome. It is not detachment. Detachment is apathy.

Question about being afraid to die. Death is only a  choosing to release life. Most people afraid ro live.

T-People are great escapist. They create nonsense as if  there is no consequence. They get tied up in fate and nothingness. Everyday choose the slightly better than slightly worse. It all matters. We're really scared of living.

B- Fatalism: Projecting unresolved issues and calling it their future.

Question on celebrating life.
We are celebrants of the divine. We have to choose celebration. For existence itself.

B-There are trials....but be of good cheer.

T-Being of good cheer, anger is obstruction of the throat. Contribute to the good before you get angry. If you can do something about a bad situation why get angry.

B-Sacred activism

Meditation

T-morning take few minutes to focus, dropping away from anxiety. What can I do for others. I am shaping my world vision but not for too long a time. Minimal meditation before sleeping review the day. Resolve that the dreams you have  will be loving. Advice on time: Keeping them short.

Stop your meditating while you enjoy it. Don't push yourself to go a long time.

B-What is meditation paying indescribable attention to what is real what is divine. Awareness/Intention (why am I here doing this) load in the freshness (this is the first-time I ever seen this, felt this....) developing a capacity to listen. Not just with your ears but with your whole being. My awareness of  my breath. Meditation is: Being available to a deeper awareness of connectivity.