Marie Smith Winner is the name on the Balboa Park bench that was dedicated to her years ago. I came upon the bench midway through my 3.2 mile run today. After reading the name I couldn’t help but to think what if everyone’s last name was Winner?

Over the past 12 months I have been exploring what holding oneself in high esteem really means. Surprisingly after both deep introspection and many conversations with friends, family and strangers, it is apparent that most people hold others in higher regard than they do themselves, including me!

I think it’s time to work hard at both liking yourself and loving yourself as if your last name is Winner and your middle name is “Is A.” And it’s equally important to hit the “like” button on your life instead of everyone else’s Facebook page.