the joy thief

{photo credit}

i complain a lot. i worry a lot. i think other people have it all together while i seem to flounder through life. my hair is too fine, my stomach not flat enough, my legs are strong but hers are stronger. my friends' careers are taking off, my friends are getting married, my friends are having babies.

to the voices in my head: shhhhhh.

i read recently that comparison is the thief of joy. how true. how could you ever be truly happy if you are constantly comparing yourself to other people? there will always be someone to be jealous of. there will always be someone who seems to have a better handle on things than you do. there will always be someone with a better tan, a more expensive wardrobe, a more glamorous career, a more darling group of friends.

how can you possibly compare? well, you don't. you don't compare to anyone else because there is no one who can possibly compare to you. why do we think we are not good enough? why do we think we have to be someone we're not? we were made intentionally. our fibers were constructed with purpose. do we think God made a mistake when he crafted us? 

"i praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

you works are wonderful, i know that full well." 

psalm 139:14 

so, here's to being thankful for my flaws, my warts, my nervous laughter, my tendency to dwell on things of the past, my double chin. 

and here's also to being thankful for my ability to laugh at myself, my love for the creative, each and every one of my freckles, my hope for the future, the friends and family who love and support me. 

to all of these things and more. cheers!