The $20 Bill Story

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of two hundred he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I'm going to give this $20 bill to one of you, but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still, the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He then dropped the bill to the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who wants it." Still, the hands went up into the air.

"My friends," the speaker said, "you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in life we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value."

"You are special. Don't ever forget it."

This story makes it clear that even if we are dealing with mental health issues, there is a basic core of wholeness and goodness that remains our true essence. There is nothing wrong with those who struggle. Indeed, it may be said that our inner conflicts call forth the qualities of courage, patience, determination and perseverance. These are the qualities of the hero and not someone who is flawed or defective.

Overcoming the Stigma of Depression
By DOUGLAS BLOCH