Host Andrew Chirch is an interfaith student, coach, and ministers to the Non-Religious, skeptics, and doubters. The idea for 99 comes from the Islamic teaching that there are 99 names for the divine, and each one has its own meaning. *************

This week's episode gets its start from the qualities behind the word, Al Mu'izz, and I'm using a translation of that word that means something like "giver of praise or self-esteem." It's one of the 99 names of the divine and it's talking about a quality of G-d that gives us self-esteem.

If you're new to this series, you may not know that I never make assumptions about what you believe - or If a belief in a God plays any part in what keeps you going.

Whatever you believe, where does your assurance and comfort and self-esteem come from?

Are you a compulsive pleaser—needing to be liked at almost any cost?

Are you defensive and guarded—just sure that people will hurt you if you let them?

Think about where those parts of your personality come from—where they got their start. It's possible you were just born lonely, or confident, or whatever. And it's also possible that part of this is a sort of programming, from your earliest time in this life.

************** Prolificate.com is about people & ideas that illuminate the world. One of those people – is you. – and 99 is a weekly 9-minute spiritual practice designed to challenge you, just the right amount, and remind you to take care of yourself. Illuminating the world is hard work, so we need you whole. Find me on Twitter or Instagram @Prolificate or send me an email at [email protected]