It happens often with addicts. A parent will constantly tell a child how wonderful they are. How great they are. And soon they believe it.
Now please don't misunderstand. But there's a big difference between being "loved" and being "special."
We should shower love on our children. Let them know they're cared about. That they're "special" in our heart.
But when we give them the idea that they're unique - just because they're alive and they’re our children - we do them a disservice.
When people are special the world lets them know right away. Whether they're an athlete, actor, or inventor, if they have special abilities the world will let them know. And reward them for their gifts. The world will honor them with money and fame.
I used to know a grandmother who never stopped telling her grandson how "special" he was. How handsome and smart he was. She said he should never want for anything because the world would take care of him.
And he believed her. As a result, he's a drug addict who’s spent half his life in prison. And when he’s out of jail he sponges off anyone who'll let him sleep on their couch.
