When I was growing up, I didn’t know anything about St. Patrick’s Day — in spite of having Irish roots with my maternal grandfather always telling us that his father (my great grandfather) was half Irish and half Native American with a full red beard. I grew up in a Protestant Christian home, and we didn’t celebrate or acknowledge any of the Catholic traditions. In fact, I didn’t even know what Ash Wednesday, lent or St. Patrick’s Day were until I went away to college.

My only impression of the day was that it was like Cinco de Mayo — a day people picked to drink alcohol and call it a holiday. I participated in the parades and wearing green as an adult because it was fun, but it wasn’t until 2016 or so that I did the research to find out what the real meaning of the day was all about. Since doing so, I have to say that I was impressed with the story of St. Patrick.

As the story goes, according to Christianity Today, he was kidnapped as a teenager and sold into slavery by Irish pirates. He escaped, but then had the courage to return to Ireland as a missionary. He is credited for taking Christianity to the country and for using the shamrock to describe the Holy Trinity.

What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, [he] who knew everything, even before the beginning of time. —St. Patrick

I once heard Rick Wiles, founder of TruNews, say that he loves the story of St. Patrick, and I have to agree. I admire his courage to go back to the place where he was held captive and treated brutally and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who did not believe. Thinking about our modern life, can you say that you would be willing to go back into a relationship where you had your heart broken and were treated badly — dare I say, brutally — and not only go back into that environment, but speak the truth in love?

I honestly can’t say that I would at this point in my life. Not only have I endured some brutal treatment from others in relationships, survived them and am now thriving, but I have also worked with clients to help them find their worth and overcome negative relationships. I have such a strong sense of who I am and the value I carry within me that I can’t say enduring negative treatment from any other human is even an option for me. There was a time in my life, however, when I would have been willing to walk back into that fire.

If you’re struggling to find your worth, establish and enforce healthy boundaries with others and practice good self-care, I invite you to listen to my latest Becoming: Conversations in Elegance & Empowerment podcast episode on Spotify and discover how to love yourself like no one else.

As you have fun wearing green and celebrating the life and legacy of St. Patrick, I encourage you to not forget to celebrate yourself and your accomplishments. We may not be as selfless as he was, but we do shine in our own ways each and every day. I encourage you to let your beautiful, unique light shine — all day, every day.

Senée Seale Luchsinger is a therapeutic transformation coach, author and public speaker passionate about helping women create lives filled with purpose, confidence and joy. Find out more about her coaching services and programs or schedule her to speak at your event at BecomingPublishing.com.