Sunday Healthy Reflection

On By AngeliaIn Life is what you make it.

The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves.

– Anonymous

    Winning victory against yourself

No one likes to lose. The thrill of victory after competition is hard to match. But the wins that leave the most significant, long-term impressions are the ones where you win against yourself. Beating a friend in a game of hoops is much less meaningful than setting a personal best time while running. We live in a highly competitive world, and everything around us screams that we’ve got to be number one in order to feel successful. Truly though, the best measuring sticks are your past and your potential–not against someone else’s standards. Raise the bar for yourself!

Brought to you by Sparkpeople.

Outdo myself. What a concept.

Seems like most of my life, I tried to be who my mom wanted me to be. Who I was supposed to be. Then, who my husband wanted me to be. Who would make everyone happy. Who would make everyone get along.

When I become a mother. I measured up to other moms. Was I going by the book guidelines? Doing what other moms did? Was I teaching my daughter the right things? Moral things? I beat myself up if i didn’t reach their standards.

Did I live how other people live? Work as hard? Have as much?

It seemed life WAS about measuring up to everyone else around me.

Now, as I near a new year, the year I turn forty, I have finally, not only grasped the concept of potential, but the victory of winning for myself.

I take on photography as an amateur and student of knowledge.

Knowing I’m only as good as my last shot.

And my last edit.

I can do it….for me.

I am not competing with anyone else. I’m just doing what I love. Learning what I love, and not being afraid to try.

I write. I blog. Maybe, it’s not as good as other technical writers. I may not win a writing contest, or be featured, or get published, but as long as I write from my heart, it’s all that matters.

In relationships, I can be me. I am accepted and loved just as I am. I don’t have to pretend to be something I am not. I can love who I am. Because I am true to myself and I believe in what I can do.

As a mom, I can tell my daughter and step-daughters. I am far from perfect, but willing to learn from and help them learn too.

As an employee, maybe my numbers won’t be first, or at the top, but I can take pride in what I do. I can admit to having a bad day and not fall apart over it. It’s okay. Some days are better than others. I can grow in my field. I can be stress-free.

I don’t have to be the best. I only have to be better.

What are you reflecting on today?

14 thoughts on “Sunday Healthy Reflection”

  1. Pingback: Tweets that mention Sunday Healthy Reflection | Living, Loving, Laughing….. -- Topsy.com

  4. Wonderful thought. I’ve been trying to do that lately, raise the bar for myself. It’s actually a lot harder than it looks. Seeing as sometimes you’re kinda like, “you know im just gonna stop competing with myself, i’ll just claim victory for both me and me and move on” lol. Good luck with your journey! 🙂

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  7. Heather up there took my words – Amen and amen! And, every day is new, so we get to start over again with a clean slate, with forgiveness free for the asking.
    Life is so very good.

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  8. I think we have to love ourselves if we want others to do so too. So yes, it is always good to reflect, to see what needs improvement and work but at the same time we need to cut ourselves the same slack we do others.

    I liked this post, I am glad you are feeling finally in the right space and place in your life.

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  9. I think that, when you get older, and you are willing to look at yourself and see how far you came, it is a joy to see you have learn from your mistakes and can be proud of your accomplishments. Very nice post, Angelia. I hope Jason is doing well.

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  10. Sweetie, you already are the best. Just ask Jason, and the girls, and Sue. And ask me! I will tell you! If you want to be better, that’s fine, but know that you are loved regardless.
    xoxo

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  12. Boy Howdy…have you summed it all up or what? I’m reflecting on…being the best “me.” I’m the only true expert on what that means and I’m going to spend some time figuring it all out. I love my lord, I love my kids, I love my husband, I love my life…but that isn’t enough. I need to love Me. More. First and foremost. And I’m working on it. Beautiful post Angelia…like usual. 🙂
    Mindy
    http://www.thesuburbanlife.com

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  13. I love that excerpt from Sparkpeople. Very nice.

    Its nice to put into practice the lesson that we aren’t really here to compete.

    Live, love, laugh, have fun, and grow for ourselves. Yay! I love how your new hobby is unfolding.

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