MadeWORTHy

Worth. It’s a word used to talk about the value of something. It is also the second half of the name of a city that has provided my family and community with opportunity in so many beautiful ways.

When Victoria Wise, our fearless leader and publisher for Madeworthy magazine, told me that her husband and writer, William Wise, had come up with the name for the new magazine, I was elated! It was the very same message I have been trying communicate in my spin classes and anywhere else I might have the opportunity to speak for the last several years! Trying to convince a room full of people from all ages of life and fitness levels that they are worthy while they fight through the hard work and sometimes defeated feelings on a bike is a calling I have never taken lightly, and trying to communicate that to a whole city can seem daunting, but I’m not giving up! I may not convince everyone, but just one is better than none, right? Since you’re reading this, allow me to start with you.

I believe in my heart of hearts that Fort Worth is growing greater because people have found value and worth in living here and engaging in all of the wonderful things this place has to offer. I also sense a growing desire of Fort Worthians to find their place in this city. We are looking for ways to connect with ourselves, our community, and to make a difference in some way. I believe it starts with understanding our own worth. My friends, do you know your worth? Do you consider yourself valuable? For me, this can be a struggle, depending on the season of life I am in. Social media, as helpful and good as it can be at times, can cause us to compare ourselves unfavorably to what we assume others to be.

Comparison is one of the top reasons my self-worth can begin to deteriorate. Before Facebook or Instagram (if we can even begin to recall such a time), the comparison came from magazines, television, or just observing people’s lives around me. “Keeping up with the Joneses” might be familiar? We seek the latest and greatest in fashion, design, places to live, what to watch, vacations to take, cars to own… the list goes on! When was the last time you took a look at yourself and were completely satisfied? Yeah, I don’t remember either. You may have heard the saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. I absolutely, 100% believe that is TRUE!

So, what is the remedy for recognizing our worth and finding moments of satisfaction for who we are and where we are in life? It is probably different for us if we were to sit in a circle together and discuss it (which I would actually LOVE!). For me, it starts with a heart-change. My heart has to change my mind. Recognizing my self-worth starts with the understanding of what is going on inside my heart. How am I allowing outside circumstances affect my view of myself? I have to look back at the journey that has brought me to where I am today. I am who I am because of the choices I have made, the circumstances of my life, and the way God, in His sovereignty, allowed those choices and circumstances to mold me, break me, and rebuild me. If we allow less desirable choices and/or circumstances to define our worth instead of grow our worth, then we miss out on an amazing opportunity for making a difference in our relationships, in our city, and even the world.

My community, I invite you to open your heart to your WORTH! I challenge you NOT to define it how the world wants you to define it, but rather how the God of the Universe sees you. I’ve said it multiple times in blogs, interviews, my classes, and in sitting with family and friends, “You are the only You in the whole universe! If God, who created you and knew you before you were even born, saw you as worthy and important enough to have a place in this world, you are certainly worth more than you will ever be able to comprehend.” I encourage you to read in the Bible, Matthew 6:25-34. I think it will be of great encouragement!

Our stories in Madeworthy are about our community, its members, and the difference they are making. That’s not to say that those people don’t still have doubts once in awhile about their own worth or place in life, but they are taking on one challenge at a time and seeing how it can be used for the better. I believe all of us have that opportunity. Maybe you won’t have a reality show or be the next local rock star, but you can find your gifts and use them! It may seem scary, but you won’t know until you try. It is worth sharing your gifts, no matter how big or small, significant or insignificant they seems. I love fitness and speaking to people about how they can live a healthier lifestyle and love themselves better. This is my gift, but I just wasn’t sure how it would manifest itself in my life. Almost three years ago, I learned how to ride a stationary bike to the beat of the music and proclaim the benefits of “sweat therapy” in a dark room with a microphone strapped to my head at the ripe age of 42! Several months later, I was given the opportunity to write about my passions of “Mind, Body, and Soul” for this blog. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I could accomplish such challenges at that point in my life, but here I am, and I wouldn’t change a thing or do it any differently. I had to work hard, and I had to fight my own lack of self-worth to get there, but my heart (passion) won the battle against what my head said I shouldn’t or couldn’t do. Yay, Heart!!

Hear me and take this to heart, please: You can do it! Take that leap of faith and see your worth FLOURISH!! I’m cheering for you.

Blessings and Health

Jennifer Kieta is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. She graduated from Texas Tech University and has lived in Fort Worth since 1996. Jennifer worked as a Child Life Specialist at Cook Children’s Medical Center for 9 years before becoming a full-time mommy to her two daughters. In the fall of 2014, Jennifer started training and soon became a spin instructor for Zyn22, a boutique spin studio here in Fort Worth. Her love of and belief in taking care of your mind, soul, and body has always been a priority, and she looks forward to sharing that love with her community!