I am in competition only with myself!

I have come to a realization about myself lately. Maybe some of you will relate to me today. I have come to realize that I value my peace above all else these days! Some people are so quick to say they value peace and can’t stand drama, yet at every turn they’re right in the middle of it.  It’s comical to me to hear people say that, who obviously enjoy being in the middle of that arena! I am finding myself on quite the opposite side of this! Now, before you think I’m trying to be perfect, I used to say I didn’t like drama too, but quite often found myself right in the middle of it so clearly I did like it, or simply allowed it because of my insecurities!

I no longer have a desire to prove people wrong. I no longer have a desire to defend myself. I no longer have a desire to prove I have a voice, or that I belong. I no longer have a desire to engage when people clearly don’t want my help, advice or to give me a chance. 

You might wonder how I am handling this. I simply walk away. It’s not worth it to me anymore. The old me would have fought for that spot at the table, but it’s not worth it in all arenas. Proving that I am talented, capable, able, and willing to jump into all things no longer matters. I am secure in what I offer and no longer have the strength to have to fight to prove my worth. Right or wrong, I choose to simply walk away, and let people do their thing! 

You see, it’s not a competition! Everyone has their unique gifts and talents and it’s when we try to use them together that we find harmony. It’s when one feels threatened by others, that there is discord which thwarts what could have been an amazing job well done, with much success and value added to others. It’s truly sad the amazing things that could be but don’t happen because people get in the way and let pride take over. I’m coming to the realization that competition has simply been a distraction to what I should have been doing all along. A distraction to living a life of significance and impacting lives every day.

It’s taken me years of growth and working on myself to arrive at this point, and I realize that not all people are there. I realize that some people will never be there because they have not done the work to know themselves and grow themselves. It’s like John Maxwell says in the Law of Awareness. You must know yourself to grow yourself.  I know myself quite well! The good, bad and the ugly!

Here’s what I know. My insecurities used to lead me to be a person who felt like I was constantly having to prove myself, to show my worth to people, and that I belonged. That is no longer a burning desire inside me. I realize that it doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks anymore. What truly matters is my relationship with God, my family and my close friends. What truly matters is getting out of bed every day and striving to add value to others and to live a life of significance. To impact lives for the better. At the end of the day, when I take my last breath I don’t want my tombstone to say she convinced everybody of her worth. I want my tombstone to say that because of her many didn’t give up.

You see, if we live a life in constant competition with other people, we miss the vision of what we should really be doing here on earth. We miss opportunities to impact lives. We miss opportunities to add value to others. We miss opportunities of pouring into the lives of others and truly making a difference. Yes, I agree a little healthy competition never hurt anybody, but we need to be careful of our mindset around in that competition. I am in competition with one person. I am in competition with myself, and making sure that every single day I am learning, growing, educating myself to be a better version of me than I was yesterday! That is who I am in competition with. I have come to a point in my life where I realize that others have gifts that I will never have. Others are better at certain things than I am, it’s how they were made, and dulling their shine does not make my light shine brighter.

Do you know what happens when people champion other people? Lives are changed! You will be championed in return if you do things for the right reasons! Do you know what happens when there are a great deal of cheerleaders and champions in the world? So much good is done and the world is completely changed! Cheerleading began to lift spirits and show support for a team. Who can you champion and be a cheerleader of today? This is a powerful concept!

I want to change my world! I want to be a lifter and champion of others, not compete against them! Together, with our unique talents and gifts, so much good can be done! So many lives changed! How about you? Will you join me, or keep a competitive spirit that doesn’t add much value to anyone but yourself? It really is the difference in living a life of success vs. significance. Only you get to decide your choice.

With love for you all,

Shauna