I compare myself to other cooks. I compare myself to other runners. I compare myself to musicians (of which I am not). I compare myself to artists (of which I am not). I compare myself to crafters (of which I am not that either).
I even compare myself to you. Yep. You! If I read your blog I compare our writing styles, our families, our husbands, our children. It's craziness. I know. God has so richly blessed me with a wonderful husband, family, home, job, friends, and so much more.
Maybe if. What if. Why don't I? How do they? If only. Why can't I? I have a tendency to focus on my flaws. Not the talents or the gifts that God has so richly blessed me with. Am I the only one who does this?
No one would ever guess that I do this. Not you. Not my family. Not my IRL friends.
It's grueling. It's self-defeating. It wastes time. Precious, precious time.
I am exhausted from wasting so much precious time. I want focus on the positive and not on the negative. I want to share the talents and gifts that God has blessed me with. Share them in a way that is as unique as me. Show others their beauty through the lens. Show them that there is joy in the every day small moments. Today, This Day! I want to Choose Joy! Wise words from a wise woman. Sara Frankl. Sara could have easily allowed her confinement and disease to steal her joy. Yet, she made a choice every single day to not let comparison steal joy from her.
How can I do less? How can I choose to ignore Sara's words? By no longer allowing the thief comparison to steal my joy. Sara has gone home to be with the Lord. She continues to teach me. Thank you, Sara for Choosing Joy!
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Isaiah 26:4 (NKJV) 4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
7 comments:
I know! That was one of my favorite pins! Joy was my word of the year this year, and I have totally tried to embrace it.
I think we all do this at least to come extent. I always think...if only I could be think, talented, prettier, a better quilter, more motivated, etc. But then when I turn my focus on my Creator and think about how he made in His beautiful image, those comparisons fade away. That is, until the next time I feel defeated and start the comparison game all over again. SO thankful for a Savior of new beginnings! I start over alot! :)
Guilty! I know I shouldn't compare me or my life to anyone elses. But I do. And it is NOT what God wants me to focus on. He made me ME. He gave me my husband and my children. He put me in this small town and He put me here to be His servant and do His work right where I am. I know that, and I am thankful for His many blessings in my life. But I must admit that I too can get carried away in looking at other blogs and thinking their lives are better, or their houses are bigger, or their pictures are prettier, or they are able to accomplish so much more than I do, which leaves me feeling down FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON!!! Thank you so much for this reminder! Blessings!
one of my favorite pins, as well. you are not the only one, my friend. the curse of comparison is a crazy thief! ;)
What do most blog people say? Have your own voice? It's true. It's true for your blog, obviously. But your voice isn't just stuck to virtual paper and ink, it is lived out everyday. There is no way you could capture all of that. And that is how God created you. You know. He didn't create you to be like anyone else. And your message of hope and everything else you have to share is for someone, just the right person who needs to hear it just the way you say it. Be blessed, Susan!
It's pretty normal I suppose, or at least I hope because I do it too! It's not easy to always focus on what we have, instead of what we don't ... but it sounds like you're getting the hang of it! It's important to be aware - and that you are!
Dearest sweet susan, loving this post so much and i love your honesty. We all do that to ourselves at one point or another and we all could relate to this. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
jacqueline
http://jqlinesocuteithurts.typepad.com/
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