Am I Enough? Yes, You Are

So often people are getting stuck with this idea or concept that they are not "enough." The horrible reality is that most of the time this thinking is coming from within ourselves because we are engaging in the terrible habit of comparison. It seems to be a social norm to compare ourselves, our children, our spouses and others we care for to others we see in the world. It seems to come so naturally, but in this case natural is not truly healthy. I am guilty of this habit and I also have recently been able to recognize how unhealthy and self-destructive it can be. It is also true that if you are stuck in comparing self to others then you are not living YOUR life - you are trying to live theirs.

When we are comparing it seems that we begin to always focus on the things that make us think and feel less than or not as good as. So rather than seeing the success in another person and having their success teach us, motivate, inspire, we tend to focus on our failures, or the idea that we can't or won't ever be or have what they have.

So while comparison does not have to destroy a person, much of the time it does tend to destroy us or cause us to give up. It takes our confidence, our pride and it puts us and the people we love at risk of stunting our potential and our self-worth.

So maybe as you think about what you need to do to change and work on your happiness, maybe you need to stop the habit of comparing. Now you may be asking "How do I do this?" Well, like breaking any habit it may take some effort and it may be a challenge initially. The first thing of course is to be accountable to yourself that you are comparing yourself to others. Be aware of feeling that you are jealous and as if you are not enough. You also have to realize that there is no such thing as perfect; everyone struggles in their own way and in their own time.

It is also important to be gracious and have gratitude for what you have and what you have accomplished and the good that is going on in your life. Allow yourself to accept your blessings. You may not wake up with all the riches, but sometimes you have to be grateful for the food on the table and the people sitting there with you.

You also need to give people your desired self. If you want people to forgive, you forgive; if you want attention, give attention. If you only express depression and fear, people tend to treat you as depressed and anxious. Helping others see who you believe you want to be is one of the best ways to become the person you wish to become and also rid yourself of the negative self-destruction you are setting yourself up for.

Focus on your strengths and the genuine self you are. Be proud of who you are and all the special qualities you possess, they are yours, own them. When you find yourself comparing yourself to others, make sure to stop and find something positive about yourself, your life, your loved one. Don't continue to tear yourself apart because you believe you are not enough. Because you are enough. You are the best YOU there is and that is a gift and should be treated as such.

Community on 01/02/2019