Test

Sometimes we put the pressure on ourselves by watching everyone else on social media, in our lives, careers, etc. We often compare ourselves and let the world tell us what success is. We’ll even actually be convinced that our purpose is something other than what we initially thought after having gone through life and feeling like it’s taking forever to get there.

I’ve come to grips with the fact that "just because she’s beautiful doesn’t make me unbeautiful… (yes I totally made that word up)" LOL it just means that we are both beautiful. Someone else’s success doesn’t take away from my success unless I let it. The inspiration from Oprah and Gayle’s relationship is how they are both powerful women but they’re not defeated by who is greater. Each person on this earth is great in their own right.

When thinking of a chair, what’s the legs to the chair without the seat on top of the legs? Everyone has a purpose. Both the legs and the seat are necessary to make the chair a successful/useful piece. How petty would it be for the legs of the chair to think that the seat is of greater substance all because it sits on top of the legs? I mean, just think of the legs saying, "I’d rather be up their than to hold all of this weight of both the seat and the person…" With a mindset like this, the legs of the chair wouldn’t see the beauty of its strength and how powerful its purpose is. It’s senseless. If both aren’t there to fulfill their purpose, no one can comfortably sit; or else they’d just need to sit on the floor. The point of this is, there’s room for everyone.

Comparing ourselves to the next person only steals our joy, causes us to lose focus, creativity, and creates jealousy. Who are you comparing yourself to? What does success mean to you? Your goals of success can be seasonal. I can say that’s what I wished to have 5 years ago, I sometimes wonder "why was I even praying for that…" My goals of success at one point was to only have money! I mean, it’s still apart of the goal but now it’s to be successful in being thorough, to be healthy, to be a good friend, daughter, sister, friend, and a good person to myself. Sometimes we have to redefine what success means to us because we’re often driven by wanting to win the mental competition with someone else; while that someone else is either miserable or simply happy and not giving a flying pig about you.

What does success mean to you? What is stealing your joy? Who are you becoming envious of? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t have inspirations, goals, and ambitions. I’m not saying become complacent with mediocrity. I am saying love yourself enough to not kill yourself with the comparison of what the next person is doing but set realistic goals for yourself, stay in God’s face and ask Him "what’s next?"

Scriptures to Consider 1. Galatians 6:4-5 Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. Assume your own responsibility. 2. 2 Corinthians 10:12 We wouldn’t put ourselves in the same class with or compare ourselves to those who are bold enough to make their own recommendations. Certainly, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves to themselves, they show how foolish they are. 3. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.