Sept 28 Comparison is the Thief

Affirmation: I am imperfect and I am enough.

When you self-criticize…replace your critical comments with “I am imperfect and I am enough.” Repeat as many times as necessary to change your focus. Build this habit.

~~~~

Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Move into the practice mode of our meditation process. Psalm 145:5 reminds us of the glorious splendor of God’s majesty. Remind yourself as you ponder and practice this verse that you are part of the glorious splendor that God’s majesty created. You are imperfect and you are enough.

Psalm 145:5 “They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”

~~~~~~~~

Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Cultivate Meaningful Work. Let Go of Self-Doubt and Supposed-to

BRENÉ'S INTENTION

I don't know about you, but, externally and internally, I've got a lot of "supposed to" messages. Yet, what we need to do to cultivate meaningful work is to let go of "supposed to" and self-doubt. When I'm talking about meaningful work, I don't mean that you should quit your job. €”I'm talking about finding some time in your life for producing something that brings you meaning and perspective. I want to start by talking about our superpowers. What are those things we're really good at that we may not even recognize? And, what is our kryptonite that comes along with that? 

This Lesson's Intention

"I will own my superpower."
(Bob Goff echoes this intention in today’s reading. So does Andy Andrews…be a person of action, not a person of self-doubt or comparison. I am imperfect. And I’m enough.)
~~~~~~~

Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews

The Active Decision 

3. I AM A PERSON OF ACTION. I am Resilient 

I will create a new future by creating a new me. I inspire others with my activity. I am a leader. I will create a habit of lively behavior.

I will walk with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. My activity will create a wave of success for the people who follow me. As a leader, I have the ability to encourage and inspire others to greatness. I do not fear failure, because failure exists only for the person who quits.

I do not quit. I am courageous. I am a leader. I seize the moment. I choose now. I am resilient. 

~~~~~~Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love by Bob Goff

                       September 28

Comparison is the thief. Don’t let it steal your purpose.

 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37

When I was growing up, my parents were big on me taking piano lessons. Their style wasn’t to encourage and compliment me as I tried to get better. Instead, they installed a seatbelt on a piano bench and buckled me in for as long as I could take it. Here’s the problem. I just wasn’t into it, nor was I very good. On the day I was to have a big recital, I had to follow this other kid who played the same piece flawlessly. He had a real gift, and the crowd loved him. As I walked into the stage, I thought, I’m about to make that kid look even better. There’s no surprise twist to the plot. I completely tanked, and I felt pretty bad about it afterward, why? Because our culture thrives on competition. We’re told a story from the time we’re born that success looks like standing out, it looks like winning, it looks like beating the rest. Nope. Jesus told us success looks like sevice. It looks like putting other people first when they play a bad few bad notes.

Part of loving others means paying attention to how we can best be a gift to others. It means knowing our strengths and serving in ways that make us come alive too. We’re not going to get there if we start comparing ourselves. The comparison game always lies to us. It comes from a place of insecurity and says who we are isn’t good enough unless perhaps we’re a little bit better than the person next to us. Do you want to do something awesome for God? Forget what other people are up to. Go be you.

Who do you need to quit comparing yourself to?