Comparison: The Thief of Joy //

I have a confession to make…but I know I’m not the only one who is guilty.

Being a blogger myself, I follow many other wonderful blogs. Everything from fashion and beauty to inspiring words or travel, I follow it all! I truly enjoy reading what my fellow blogger friends have to say and looking at the beautiful images they share of their perfect little world. However, sometimes I get discouraged by how their lives look in comparison to mine.

Blogging is a somewhat difficult thing to get into when you’re first starting out. Looking at other ladies with over a couple hundred thousand followers and being paid to travel the world can seem like an almost untouchable dream for myself sometimes. I begin to feel less significant and more like giving up altogether. Perfect bodies, smiles, skin, and hair. Vibrant photos of fresh flowers, all of the high-end clothing and accessories they own and their weekend jet-set getaways to Italy make me want to sulk in all of my imperfections, delete my blog and watch re-runs of Friends while consuming an entire gallon of pistachio ice cream all by myself.

I know I’m not the only one who struggles with the issue of comparison. The same can stand true for anyone; male or female, be it sports, business, writing, art, etc. We tend to overlook all of the amazing qualities we possess and put others who seem to be so happy and successful on a pedestal, as if we can’t reach our own goals too. Chin up, buttercup! I’ve got news for you! They are regular people who deal with the messiness of life, just like you and I. Those people had to start out somewhere, and have probably experienced the same feelings that you are experiencing now. Heck, I’d be willing to bet they still do!

You see, the issue stems from that stinky four syllable word: c o m p a r i s o n. As long as we are comparing ourselves to another, we will never be happy. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t let someone else’s happiness and success rob you of your own. Put down that pistachio ice cream(okay, only if you’re eating it because you’re depressed), turn off the television and start focusing on your own life. Your dreams can come true just as others have. All it takes is believing in yourself, some hard work and dedication and a little bit of faith. I believe in you!

 

xx,

Alyssa

This Is Your Journey //

Have you ever read something so simple, yet so profound? Something that you already knew, but it took randomly coming across reading it for it to finally click? I found a quote on Pinterest the other day that read, ‘Sometimes people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t have to, it’s not for them.’ Whoa. I had another ‘duh’ moment! (Those moments are my favorite sometimes).

If you have been following my last few posts, you would know that God has been shaking things up in my life lately; and it has been a scary, crazy and exciting journey so far! I’ve been holding onto a few things. Not necessarily because I was afraid to let go, but because I was worried that others simply wouldn’t understand. How silly is that?! God has given me complete peace and confirmation, but I was still too stuck on others’ thoughts and feelings. As I read on the wonderful world of Pinterest…they don’t need to, it’s not for them. It is MY journey. This is the plan that The Lord has for my life and if others don’t understand, then that’s okay.

The same goes for you, we are all going to have those in our lives who do not completely agree with or understand the dreams that God has given us or the path that He is directing us to take. These can be people that we love dearly, acquaintances, or people we hardly even know. Consider the concerns of those that love you and have your best interest at heart; their questions or concerns can open your eyes to things you may not have seen or thought about before. But the most important thing is to seek God above all things. Seek His will and listen to what He is telling you.

When I was young and my parents used to ask my brother and I to do something, if it wasn’t done in a timely manner, my father would say, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.” As silly as it sounds, these words couldn’t be any truer. When our heavenly father is giving us an order of direction, we must obey. Not when it’s most convenient for us, but when He says that it is time. Don’t let others, or even yourself, hold you back from what God is calling you to do and all that He wants you to be.

R U N after Him and P U R S U E His heart with all that you are.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again. This is your year. Own it. Live it. Embrace it.

I hope you feel encouraged! What are some of your dreams and goals for this new year?

xx

Winds Of Change //

Have you ever felt something stirring up inside of you that you just couldn’t contain any longer? Maybe you were entering a new season in your life or a new dream was being birthed inside of you? Perhaps you experienced feelings of fear, excitement, anxiousness or joy?

God has really been doing some crazy things in my life lately. You see, I’ve had such a huge dream and felt called to so many things for the longest time. I have prayed for many years for the opportunity to ‘live out my calling’. I’ll tell you what- I have been s t r e t c h e d like nobody’s business lately. God has shown me that He will use anyone He wants to accomplish what needs to be done. And when you are faithful and willing to be used, you are also blessed abundantly. I have been spiritually and emotionally blessed because of the ways that He has been using me.

Over the last few weeks or so, God has been revealing new things to me. Some things were very evident, and others not so much at first. I find it so funny how The Lord can show us a dream and we think we know it all and how it ends up. I have embedded in my mind and in my heart, this idea of how I would fulfill the dream that God has given to me and what it would look like years down the road. I had forgotten that He sees the bigger picture and His plan for my life is far greater than my expectations. Through this journey, He has taught me more about myself. He has shown me that the little things that I thought were trifling and unimportant all add up as a part of His beautiful and perfect plan. Even when I feel that I am stuck in a rut and not getting anywhere, He is at work in me.

I have come to realize that I am certainly beginning a new season in my life. Although I don’t know quite what God has in store, I couldn’t possibly be any more excited. To be honest, my heart has been so full lately, it may even explode! I rest in the thought that He already has it all figured out and I am just along for the ride, ready and willing to go wherever He leads me. Greater things are yet to come!

xx