You know those moments when you actually feel like you’re going through life, doing wonderfully, accomplishing much, seeing lots of growth – personally, in your work, etc. – are excited about the many blessings in your life and, basically, feel like all things are sunshine & rainbows? If you know those days, you probably also know that it seems no sooner do they come, that they’re quickly followed up with the ones that try to tell you you’re really nothing at all. At second glance, all those accomplishments that seemed impressive suddenly pale in comparison to everyone else’s around you. All those blessings you were excited about, somehow don’t seem as good as your friend’s. All that you worked hard for now looks piddly and you wonder if you’ll ever be at the level of accomplishment as someone else. What started out as just a moment of comparison immediately leads to discontentment, and the discontentment leads to doubt, and the doubt begins to make you feel like a fraud and failure. C’mon, I CAN’T be the only one that goes through this cycle, right?

It’s funny to me how just when I’m starting to feel like I might have grown as a business owner, and can look back at my journey of growth, and all of the things I’m doing so much better at today than I was last year, or the last 3 years, as SOON as I look to the right or the left and see how someone else seems to be growing in THEIR business I get paranoid. I think, “Well, gosh. Maybe I’m not doing as well as I thought. I mean, I don’t do such and such like so and so does. Maybe I really CAN’T make it in this industry. Maybe I’ll never get to the point that I want to. What do I even have to offer?”

Ok. Sounds a little dramatic. I know. But that’s exactly how it goes in my head! And it isn’t JUST about my business or photography. Everywhere we turn in life, there’s a chance to compare, and see how you size up next to your friends and/or competition. And yes, when it comes to business, there’s a certain degree of NEEDING to keep up with what changes are happening in the industry. But that’s not really what I’m talking about. I’m talking about immediately doubting your worth and abilities because you don’t think and operate the same way someone else does. I’m the chief guilty one on this. And isn’t it ridiculous to even think this way when we “know” that individuality is what makes this world wonderful? And specifically, within an industry that’s incredibly saturated with wonderful talent, shouldn’t I be QUICK to embrace what makes me ME, and different from others? Well, yeah. And I do. Especially on the days when all things are cotton candy & unicorns. But those occasional days come when you’re just tempted to doubt it all, and this morning was one of those times. But thankfully, instead of sitting and wallowing in self-doubt, I decided to remind myself that it’s GOOD to celebrate my growth and accomplishments – even if they’d look small to others. That it’s GOOD to be grateful and give thanks for the blessings in my life – even if they’d look small to others. And it’s GOOD to remember that I have much to offer – even if it looks different than what others have to offer. Cliche as it sounds, I’m just grateful for the reminder that God made us all with different strengths and weaknesses for a reason. With different personalities and preferences for a reason. So that when all of us are together, we complete the whole picture.

I may have written this entire post just to preach at myself this morning. But in the case that any of you have struggled with similar doubt, take heart and be encouraged! Keep your eyes fixed above, and keep pressing on toward the prize. It doesn’t matter where everyone else is in the race in comparison to you, as long as YOU keep moving forward.

Happy Thursday, friends. Here’s to continual growth!