The unspoken belief behind self-improvement is "I'll be worthy when..."
THE BELIEF “If I were different - better, smarter, thinner, richer, more in control (which I would be if only I had more self-discipline!) - life would be as it should be and I would be happy. As it is, life isn’t the way it should be and it’s my fault!”
Cheri Huber • Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline
For instance, there are chefs who, the more inspired and accomplished they become, are forever beset with the sort of feeling of inferiority that makes them say to themselves, I’m still not good enough, or I’ve got to bring my cooking to the next level, and that sort of thing.
Fumitake Koga • The Courage To Be Disliked: How to free yourself, change your life and achieve real happiness
Here’s what is truly at the heart of wholeheartedness: Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.