You have value by default — attributes like knowledge, kindness, skill. But value only turns into worth when you put it to use. “You are valuable; but you are worth as much as you think and make yourself out to be.”

Innocent finds the whole idea hiding in a spelling. Self-growth and self-worth differ by one letter, g — and in his mind the g is for go. You go and do something; that’s how you grow, and how you come to have worth. Worth isn’t handed over; it’s built by moving forward and making progress.

He also treats it as upkeep. Life keeps chipping at your sense of worth, so he reminds himself each day of the progress he’s made — and tells himself, plainly, what he is worth.