From Self-Doubt to Self-Discovery: Embracing the Value Hashem Sees in You

How many times have you overlooked your own brilliance because it’s simply become your “normal”?

Most people don’t realize that the very things they do daily, without thought, could be extraordinary in someone else’s eyes.

When I used to travel for my work with Ford dealerships, I’d visit Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories of Canada. For me, the place felt like another world—endless summer days where the sun never set, frozen lakes that turned into highways in the winter, and the Northern Lights painting the sky regularly.

It was surreal. But for the locals, this was just life and no big deal.

It was a big deal.

That experience opened my eyes: so many of us have something incredible within us that we don’t even recognize. We see it every day, so we assume it’s no big deal.

You might have a talent, a strength, or a perspective that others would find awe-inspiring, but because it’s part of your daily life, you’ve come to see it as ordinary.

I’ve realized that a lot of people, including myself, sometimes feel like we’re not enough—not talented enough, not knowledgeable enough, not special enough.

Often, this happens because we’re in the wrong environment.

Albert Einstein once said, “Everyone is a genius but If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”

We might judge ourselves by the wrong standards or in the wrong setting, and we end up thinking we don’t measure up.

But often, it’s not that we’re lacking value—it’s that we’re not seeing ourselves from the right perspective.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that a bottle of water costs $1 at Walmart, $3 at a convenience store, $5 at an airport, and $8 at a baseball game.

The water hasn’t changed, but its value shifts depending on where it is. The same applies to us. Maybe your worth is far greater than you realize—you’re just in the wrong environment.

Sometimes, a change in location, friends, or even a shift in mindset is enough to help us see our own value.

But sometimes, it’s not about changing your environment—sometimes it’s about recognizing the value you already have right where you are.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe would say, “If you know Alef, teach Alef. If you know Bet, teach Bet.”

So many of us hold back, thinking, “I’m not good enough,” or “There are people who know more than me.”

But the truth is, your perspective, your experience—it matters. There will always be people who know more, but there will always be people who know less.

That means you always have something to share, and your unique insights could be exactly what someone else needs. You are valuable, but sometimes you have to find the place, or the perspective, where you can recognize your own worth—and offer it to others.

Breaking Free from the Wrong Situation

Before I worked for Ford, I was in a job that slowly crushed my spirit. It started out well enough, but over time, it became toxic. I’d wake up dreading the day ahead. My self-esteem was shot. My confidence was gone. I was miserable all the time—at work and at home. Felt like a shadow of myself.

I stayed in that job longer than I should have because I convinced myself I was stuck. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? We tell ourselves that this is just how things are, and we convince ourselves that we don’t have options. But that feeling of being trapped? It’s an illusion.

Eventually, I left the job. It was a little while after one of my sons was born and was able to take government paid parental leave, and that break was exactly what I needed.

It gave me time to breathe, to stretch out, and to think about what kind of person I really wanted to be. That time off was transformative. It wasn’t just about leaving a toxic environment—it was about rediscovering myself.

When I returned to the workforce, I found the best job I’d ever had up until that point. I had a fresh start, and it was the reminder I needed that we’re never truly trapped. We just have to be willing to make the hard choice and move forward.

This time of year, as Rosh Hashanah approaches, we’re all given the chance to reflect and ask ourselves the important questions: Am I where I need to be? Am I living the life I’m meant to live?

If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to make a change.

Yes, change can feel uncomfortable, but growth and comfort rarely go hand in hand. Sometimes we need to step away from what’s familiar, even when it feels scary, to become the people Hashem knows we can be.

Listening to the Signs Hashem is Sending

For the last 2 plus years, Hashem has been sending me messages that I should be doing something else—something bigger, something more meaningful. I’ve felt the pull toward teaching Torah, creating content, and inspiring others. But for the longest time, I ignored it.

I thought, “I’m not good enough. There are already so many people doing this. I need to make a living first—maybe I’ll do this later, after I retire.”

But here’s the thing about Hashem: He doesn’t stop sending signs just because you’re not paying attention. He keeps pushing you in the right direction, even when you resist. The signs kept coming, and eventually, they became impossible to ignore. It hit me like a ton of bricks: Hashem wanted something different for me, and I’d been running away from it.

Once I started listening, everything changed. Life got quieter, calmer, and more fulfilling. I finally felt like I was aligned with what Hashem wanted from me.

That’s what Rosh Hashanah is all about. Hashem sees something in each of us that we often don’t see in ourselves. He knows our potential and believes in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves.

This time of year is a gift—an opportunity to hit pause, reflect, and listen to what Hashem is trying to tell us. Are we where we need to be? Are we stepping into the greatness He’s placed inside us, or are we holding back out of fear or self-doubt?

Hashem is patient, but He also knows when it’s time for us to stop ignoring the signs and take action. That’s where real growth begins.

Taking the Leap and Embracing the Journey

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned came from teaching my kids how to ride a bike. It starts with excitement—pure enthusiasm. Then, the moment they feel unsteady, fear takes over. They freeze and say, “I can’t do it!”

But after a few shaky starts, something amazing happens: they push through the fear and realize they can do it. That look of surprise and pride on their faces is priceless. Their whole world opens up at that moment.

That’s how it is with everything in life. We get excited about an idea, a dream, or a new direction, but the moment fear creeps in, we start telling ourselves we can’t. “There are already so many people doing this,” “I’m not good enough,” “What if I fail?” It’s so easy to convince ourselves to stay small. But the truth is, the real excitement, the real joy, is waiting for us on the other side of that fear.

Right now, I’m in the middle of taking my own leap of faith. I don’t have everything figured out. I’m still learning, still finding my way, but I know this is what Hashem wants for me. That’s all I need to know. The rest will come.

I’m not worried about having the perfect plan. I trust that Hashem will catch me. He always has, and He always will. Sometimes you just need to take the leap and trust that the pieces will fall into place as you go.

That’s what Emuna is all about.

Seeing Ourselves the Way Hashem Sees Us

We often live with a limited understanding of our true value. We think we know our capabilities, our limits, but we don’t—not really. Hashem sees the full picture. He knows the potential, the greatness, and the incredible light inside each of us. And if we only knew what Hashem knows, we’d stop doubting ourselves.

Each person is an entire world. Every one of us carries within us the ability to transform not only our own lives, but the lives of others. We have talents, strengths, and gifts that we may not fully understand, but they are there. Hashem sees them, and He’s waiting for us to see them, too.

With Rosh Hashanah just around the corner, this is the perfect time to start looking inward and upward. It’s the time to reflect on where we are, who we are, and what we’re truly capable of. Hashem is giving us the opportunity to step into our full potential. To stop doubting and start believing.

This is the year we can start living the dream—by seeing ourselves the way Hashem sees us.

The Call to Action

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that we need to stop ignoring the signs. Hashem is always guiding us, but it’s up to us to listen. Don’t let fear, self-doubt, or uncertainty hold you back from living the life you’re meant to live. Rosh Hashanah is the time for reflection, renewal, and most importantly, action.

Ask yourself: Am I where I need to be? Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing?

If the answer is no, then this is the time to make a change. You don’t need to have everything figured out.

You don’t need to wait until you feel “ready.” Just take the leap. Hashem will catch you. He always has, and He always will.

Let’s step into this new year with confidence, trust, and Emuna. Let’s stop holding back, and start living the lives Hashem has planned for us.

This is your time to shine.

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