Comparison is exhausting...
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"What we allow to linger in our minds will influence our words and actions"
In these past six years living in Charlotte, one of my most precious groups I anchored myself to was our women's FIG bible study. Although life became busy and I could not participate each week with the new study, I still bought the book so I could participate on my own time because I felt I could get a little guidance on choosing contentment in an age of awareness.
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Comparison Trap, a 28-Day devotional for women by Sandra Stanley
As far back as I can remember, there has been some sort of comparison in different areas of life. Sports, colleges, body image, boyfriends, vacations, careers.... the list could go on and on. Although I believe that women probably do this more than men, they also are guilty of it too. Who wants to constantly dwell on the things that you don't have?
Challenge: Working through thoughts that drift in the direction of envy & pride
Blog success. When I see bloggers who get to do this for a living, that voice in my head usually does say "I wish I had a blog and career like her". NOT what I should be thinking. After one of the daily devotionals, our challenge was to focus on patience and kindness.
I know their success was not over night and I'm sure they didn't have a genie in a bottle to grant them three wishes either. It takes hard work and devotion. My challenge will be to focus on the enjoyment these blogs bring me and to be inspired rather than envious.... sounds easy, right?
Think about something you "wish you had". How would you train your brain to go to a happy place in a world where it is so easy to compare? This book has tips, tricks, challenges, and scripture that will help you. I think of it as my "guide book".
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Challenge: One Day Away (from blogs, apps, etc.)
I'm very guilty of this. A lot of times I give the excuse of "this is how I keep up with everyone since our lives have become so busy". The more I think about it though, aren't you already keeping up with those that hold a spot in your heart and are actively in your life? We are guilty of being nosy with those people we haven't talked to in years, exs, coworkers, you know what I'm talking about.
Together let's break some of these bad habits. Go buy the book (Amazon.com). I've only gotten through week one, but it is all I can do not to keep on going.
...don't forget to count all the blessings you have in your life...
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xo
-W
