When you spend all your time imagining yourself in other people’s shoes, your own story goes unwritten, and there is nothing more painful than that.
(Amanda Lovelace)
Don’t you sometimes wish you were someone else? Especially when you see the lifestyles of the rich and famous flaunting their wealth, or undeserving people getting away with ‘murder’ Unbelievable! How is it that we live in the same world?
It shouldn’t matter! Everyone, even the rich and famous, struggle with challenges and anxieties. Everyone on earth has a burden he or she is carrying. If you can actually read the mind of these people, you may even think you’re better off being yourself.
What we see on the external, does not tell the whole story. So don’t desire to be in the shoes of others! You never know what is seething beneath the veneer of “all’s fine and great”. They may need more prayer than you do (really? Yes, truly!).
So get on with your life. Every moment you spend on wishful thinking, is every moment lost. Instead make something of your own life. Believe that you’re where you’re supposed to be because you are strong enough to cope with your situation. Reach out if you need help! There must be someone out there who will give you a helping hand. If you haven’t found anyone like that, perhaps you have been looking for them in the wrong places. The ones who disappointed you aren’t the ones worth wasting your time thinking about!
Your identity is not tied to what you possess or your status in life. Don’t try to keep up with these “glossy” people. You’re an authentic person! You deserve better, not a plastic relationship. Your life matters! You’re precious, unique and special. What you may have taken for granted, may be the very thing that differentiates you from others. Or you may have already found what you’re looking for, if you discovered what you truly want out of your life.
Stop resisting or avoiding your issues. Even your struggles and hurts shape you to be who you are today. You’re 100% where you should be. It’s not too late to take a break and reflect on what you have or what you have already achieved.
Start living your life. Allow yourself to enjoy what you’re doing. If you find no joy in your work or studies but are obligated to keep at it, just set aside some time (absolutely essential to take breaks) to pick up a hobby – hiking, crafting, painting or singing? Some of these activities do not cost you anything except a little of your time.
You deserve to enjoy your life. Don’t wait! Start today. Life is so precious, that you should start seeing your life story as something worthy to share.
Every scratch or hole in your shoe of life is worthwhile.
Someone, somewhere may really appreciate hearing your story. So there is no need to compare yourself with others. You too have wonderful stories to share.
Read the story below of an American Harvard MBA graduate and how he tried to teach the simple Mexican fisherman about success. Who actually ends up learning what is of more value?
Artist: Lydia C. Text: Anna G.
Source: Unknown
An American Dream
An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside that small boat was just one fisherman with several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.
“How long did it take you to catch them?”, asked the American.
“Only a little while,” the Mexican replied.
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the American then asked.
“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs” the Mexican said.
“But” the American then asked, “what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said,”I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor”.
The American scoffed:”I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you could buy a bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own canning factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked:”But senor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied,”15 to 20 years.”
“But what then, señor?”
The American laughed and said,”That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO – an Initial Public Offering – and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”
“Millions, señor? Then what?”
The American said slowly,”Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”
