In my last blog I self-disclosed my new viewpoint on sacrifice and commitment and how I was going to start committing myself to others. Last Monday, I trekked over to Wally World and bought two Goldfish for .38 cents each. Ill say that is a bargain. It is kind of ironic that the bowl, food, decorations, and non-Chloride water together costed 40 times as much as the actual fish. Oh America, they have to get you somewhere. Anyways, one is all orange and the other is orange with white stripes at the bottom. I named the orange one Charly after Charly’s Bakery in South Africa. It was this adorable, spunky bakery with the most delicious deserts and quiche. I named the other Stellie which is short for Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is a wineland about 30 minutes from Capetown where 60 of us took a huge bus to for the night and had the time of our lives. Stellenbosch University is there(a place I would love to study) so there were quite a bit of college students.
A week into it and the fish are still alive! Their personalities are finally starting to show. Charly tends to be more reserved, quieter, and hangs out at the bottom near the rocks. Stellie is wild. Just plain wild. I put my finger up to the glass and she/he? Follows my finger every step of the way. I never know what sex fish are…..
Anyways, I am heading to Destin on Thursday morning to spend the fourth of July with my stepmom, Laura, and my dad, Galen. Is it sad that I am old enough now where I really don’t mind spending fourth of July with the ‘rents? I am actually really really looking forward to it. I absolutely adore my stepmom and of course, Galen Droke is just a HOOT! The point of the story is: the fish are going on their first beach trip. And THEY WILL NOT BE PLAYING IN THE OCEAN! Haha. I am going back to Wally World today and getting them a cool little travel kit. I wish I could have gone to the beach at 3 months old….jeez
The fish are a great commitment and I actually enjoy their company. The sunflower seeds and pot have been purchased but I am waiting until after the fourth of July vacation to start my plant.
Life Lesson: Do not compare yourself to others
I was thinking about how I just compared my two fishes and realized they both have dissimilar personalities. It is not a good thing or bad thing that is one is quiet and the other is spunky. It is just the way they are and there is nothing they can do about it.
How many times do we catch ourselves comparing ourselves with others? I know I do it all the time. I think, “If only I had an hilarious sense of humor like that…” because any one that knows me knows that my jokes are either really witty that no one gets them or they are just flat out corny and people laugh because they feel bad. The witty jokes sometimes go over well when really intelligent people get them. Other times, after you explain the joke then people have the AH HA! Moment and the joke has lost all of its substance.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” If we waste all of our time comparing ourselves with others we miss out on the wonderful treasures and beauty God has blessed our world and us with. It is a recipe for tearing down your confidence and for unhappiness. Just because you don’t measure up to someone else’s strengths does not mean that you should get depressed or jealous or resentful. Instead, looked at your strengths and you will see that you have a lot to offer, a lot to be happy about.
And that’s so important — being able to look at your own strengths, and see your true value. It’s actually one of the keys to success, because without this ability, you will be unmotivated, and won’t believe in yourself.
At the same time that you are comparing yourself to others, there is probably someone who is looking at you and wishing they something you have. Just a little food for thought.
Love yourself, love your body. It is the one thing that God gave you that you can completely call yours. Take care of it. Appreciate it. Challenge it. Do not compare it for it is uniquely and fearfully made.
