I had the opportunity to attend a concert by an incredibly talented and gifted friend of mine who is an amazing singer and piano player. I was so touched and moved by her brilliant talent, the way she sang moved and was touching the souls of each person in the audience with her essence.
I found myself quickly comparing myself to her and how I couldn’t do anything even remotely so powerful and beautiful. I could feel a dark cloud of judgement about how I am not good enough descending down upon me which was threatening my opportunity to enjoy and witness her wonderful gifts.
I have noticed recently a more obvious tendency for me to compare myself to people that I see as being incredibly gifted and talented in the world and doing their work so brilliantly for everyone to see. It then leads to me wonder what in the world I think I’m doing that is relatively of any value to anyone.
It is such a trap for me to judge and compare myself with others and yet I do it regularly, dropping into my not good enough story every time.
In our society, we are often encouraged to compare ourselves to others, which ideally will inspire us to greater attention, focus and motivation in what we are doing. Most often though, it can make us feel worse about ourselves and drive us into more inaction than before.
Once I was able to observe and acknowledge my judgement about myself at the concert, I was then able to let it go. I sat there inspired, moved and filled with joy as I watched her be in her authentic essence, sharing her greatest gifts with the world.
I am left with a sense and determination of wanting to shine brightly in my own way to the world and to inspire others from my own authentic essence. I also recognize a degree of the concept that what I see and like in others is also what I see and like in regard to myself.
What do you see and admire in others that is truly a reflection of who you are?
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