Dear Monica:

I understand how that mantra, or self talk works for you. People often do that, keep going for the sake of another person. Sometimes for the sake of someone else’s memory, as in your case. Parents say they keep going for their children, adult children keep going so to not hurt their parents, and so on.

At one point in life, if and when you feel your own value as it stands by itself, you will not need to do that. For now, you do and it works for you, so keep doing it.

anita