I'm Better Than You (according to who?)

Ok, I only sorta believe that. Before you shut me down, let me explain.

• Should we take our cues about who we are from other people or their opinions?
• If someone makes more money or is more gifted in an area, is that person really "better than us"?
• What indicates that we are a successful?

I know this is deep, but hang with me.

I would hope that my friend is better than me in certain areas, like his job. If he wasn't, then either I or someone else would have it, right? The same is true of me with what I do. In essence, we have all been given certain gifts, skills and abilities. Things we do naturally, with little effort, that we could almost do in our sleep.

I would offer, then, that we are all "better" or uniquely gifted (whatever) than others in this respect.

Many people receive acclaim or monetary rewards for effectively utilizing their gifts and doing what they do naturally. This is the fruit of their efforts and indicates how well they have used what they have.

I would say that we are successful when we are doing what we love to do while being who we are created to be. What do you think?

Case in point: Mother Theresa. She lived in abject poverty serving others. She adhered to the religious belief that "putting others before yourself" (or being last--allowing others to be 'better' than you) was a good thing.

Was she successful? Are others better than her? Are you? What say you, BetterMeister?

Fear Failing Forward

FEARS can immobilize, paralyze and keep you stuck. Forget about how unrealistic they are or that they may not make any sense at all--to anyone but you. Fear can keep you from achieving your potential and stretching outside your comfort zone into someone you desire to become or doing something you've wanted to do for a long time.

Fear can be gut-wrenching, sickening and depressing. It is also one of the most LIMITING BELIEFS someone can have.

But don't give in to the pressure or the LIE that is holding you back, whatever that may be. Be courageous and stand up to it--believe me, in time you'll be glad you did. And, I realize it won't be easy. Doing great things usually isn't.

Someone once said that F.E.A.R. stands for: False Evidence Appearing Real. Nothing could be more true. When you internalize this and walk in it, you will find freedom to become who you desire to be and do things you never thought you could do.

Here's an encouraging snippet from Nelson Mandela's 1994 Inaugural Speech. I hope you find it uplifting and that it helps to move you forward. (Let me know what you think or if you have anything to share regarding this post.)

Our Greatest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest far is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

You were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within you. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.