Comparing yourself to others is a great way to feel miserable. But you can live a life to be admired without trying to "keep up" with anyone else. One blogger shares how she discovered fulfillment simply by changing her focus.
It's been a while since I wrote anything profound on my blog. I used to do it all the time, and then I became busier and busier and in order to keep it active I simply started posting all the projects I had going on. It wasn't long before I got really caught up in the "project-a-day" club and had to let that go as well. Last Christmas I sat in this very same spot and thought about what things I might change in 2011 to make my life feel less chaotic, less "obligatory". I made one and only one New Year’s Resolution in order to help me accomplish that: To learn to feel content.
2011 started much the same as 2010 ended... with lots of responsibilities I didn't really want or need, and lots of stressing and running around and generally being the person I thought everyone expected me to be. Slowly but surely I began to let things go... little things... to give the more important things in my life room to breathe. More importantly, however, my mindset has begun to change regarding who I want to be, how I want to be remembered, and what I want out of life.
My own mother was a busy bee. She was on the front lines of virtually every school fundraiser, church activity and neighborhood project. She epitomized a woman who was "on the ball". But inside she was a mess. She created such an alluring image of herself and family that it became all that was important to her. And we, her family, had to keep up with that image - no questions asked. So I recognize where this inbred tendency to keep a dozen plates spinning at all times comes from. And I, like my mother, have thrived on the reputation of being that woman on the ball. It’s a good feeling, but not one that lasts, I'm afraid.I wonder at what point this image became so revered. We each take the best parts of others and compare them to our worst.
"I wish I was as fit as ...."
"I wish I was as pretty as ...."
"I wish I was as creative as ...."
"I wish I had as much money as ...."
"I wish my house was as clean as ...."
"I wish I cooked as well as ...."
"I wish I could save money as well as ...."
"I wish I had as many friends as ...."
"I wish I was successful like ...."
"I wish I was as pretty as ...."
"I wish I was as creative as ...."
"I wish I had as much money as ...."
"I wish my house was as clean as ...."
"I wish I cooked as well as ...."
"I wish I could save money as well as ...."
"I wish I had as many friends as ...."
"I wish I was successful like ...."
And then we put them all together and VOILA! that is the ideal woman. Furthermore we think this perfect multi-faceted woman we've conjured up in our minds is secure, and perfectly happy. When, truthfully, it's the woman who doesn't need to do it all and be it all to be happy that we should emulate. I envy that woman, who is content to live a simple life, and is proud enough with the respect of her family and loved ones to not go looking elsewhere in order to feel validated. Is that not what true happiness and self-assurance looks like?
I'm not saying we don't need to pursue our own dreams or make ourselves a priority, but I think pure intentions and genuine fulfillment should drive our choices - whether they be to take good care of our body, our home, our family, etc. I want to get to the point where each choice I make, as to how I spend my time and energy, is a choice I think through. And a choice I am content with. I 'm tired of trying to keep up with that alluring image of the perfect woman, above all else. It drove my mother crazy - quite literally. And crazy is the only outcome I can think of for someone who can't find contentment in the small things (which ironically, for someone of that mindset, are the most important things).
I'm not saying we don't need to pursue our own dreams or make ourselves a priority, but I think pure intentions and genuine fulfillment should drive our choices - whether they be to take good care of our body, our home, our family, etc. I want to get to the point where each choice I make, as to how I spend my time and energy, is a choice I think through. And a choice I am content with. I 'm tired of trying to keep up with that alluring image of the perfect woman, above all else. It drove my mother crazy - quite literally. And crazy is the only outcome I can think of for someone who can't find contentment in the small things (which ironically, for someone of that mindset, are the most important things).
I have a long way to go towards becoming that woman. I have lived a full life and experienced many wonderful things. I want badly to have all those things active in my life, all at once! But it's impossible. The analogy of the seasons rings loud and clear for me as I try and determine what is best worth my time and energy at this time in my life:
To every things there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven
I think my zest for experiencing everything life has to offer is indeed a blessing, but also one that I (thankfully) have plenty of time to enjoy.
To every things there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven
I think my zest for experiencing everything life has to offer is indeed a blessing, but also one that I (thankfully) have plenty of time to enjoy.
Leilani Rogers has been blogging at “My Many Colored Days” for 6 years. There you can find posts on motherhood, crafts and birthday parties, among other things. She also loves photography and started her own photography business 3 years ago, where she specializes in lifestyle portaiture and births (www.photosbylei.com). She and her husband Andrew live with their 4 children in Austin, TX and serve in the Sunday school and Primary programs at church.
