Stop comparing yourself to others & love who God made you

There is an abundant need in this world for your exact brand of beautiful -Lysa Terkeurst

Read that quote this morning and immediately fell in love. It’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Comparing looks, careers, body type, personality, husbands and children to those we see online or witness at the grocery store. We think we want what they have. But nobody’s life is perfect even if it may seem like it is from the outside. We all carry baggage, we all have scars and we all have made mistakes.

I struggled with this a couple years ago while trying to figure out my calling in life. I tried college and switched my major four different times, I hopped around jobs trying to find something that felt ‘right’ and a good fit for me all while feeling so blah on the inside. I dreaded each day. I’d always known I wanted to find a career that made me feel like I was making a difference in the world, or could help others and maybe use my creative brain if possible. I mean, that’s not too much to ask, right? I couldn’t understand why every one of my other friends easily graduated college in four years, had an internship underway and potential jobs lined up the week after they were handed their diploma. They made life look so easy. And then there was me, a college dropout, floundering around trying to finish life just like everyone else was.

I don’t think it hit me until I was seriously fed up (like anxiety ridden, crabby fed up) with the life I was living, that I did what I should have done years ago- pray about it and ask God, “umm help a sista out, what the heck am I supposed to be doing?” Now don’t get your hopes up too fast here, I still don’t have life pinned down and figured out. I’ve started a few small businesses and they failed, I’m working on a new business plan now and hey, that may fail too. But you know what? I know I’m taking steps in the right direction. I’m failing left and right, but I’m happy and at peace right where I am. I know I’m on the right track and I know that one door will open and all these failures will make sense. I know the word ‘fail’ sounds horrible and you’re all probably wondering why I’m at peace now (and I get it, it’s kind of weird). But for the first time in a long time, I know what I’m good at and I’m confident in who I am, even it’s way different than what all my friends have done. “You never fail until you stop trying” Albert Einstein. 

Trust that “different” and don’t try and keep up with the people around you. They may seem ahead of you or like they have it all together, but trust me, nobody does. Just focus on you and what The Lord wants you to do. It’s the only way any of us will find true joy in this life.

Don’t forget, the life you live was made just for you! Your ‘brand’ was designed by God & He wants you to love it just like He loves you. The world needs a girl just like you, so don’t get caught up in what someone else is doing, get caught up in God’s AMAZING plan that He made just for you and your kick booty brand.

“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” Proverbs 31:25