YOU ALONE ARE ENOUGH.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE TO ANYBODY.
(Maya Angelou)
I've spent a good chunk - way too much - of my life worrying that I'm not "enough" for other people - not kind enough, caring enough, interesting enough. Not smart enough, thin enough, normal enough. No matter what I did - or didn't do - it wasn't "enough" for someone, for some reason.
The harder I tried, the more scattered and insecure I felt. It took standing up for myself a few times to figure out that maybe it wasn't me after all. I was entitled to my opinions and my choices and my decisions - none of which are made lightly. I strive to see all sides, to see others' points of view, and I do my best to respect them, even if I don't agree. If other people can't or won't do the same for me, then you know what? That's not my problem, not anymore.
The harder I tried, the more scattered and insecure I felt. It took standing up for myself a few times to figure out that maybe it wasn't me after all. I was entitled to my opinions and my choices and my decisions - none of which are made lightly. I strive to see all sides, to see others' points of view, and I do my best to respect them, even if I don't agree. If other people can't or won't do the same for me, then you know what? That's not my problem, not anymore.
I am already enough. And so are you. Let's remember that this week...and always.
I have to agree with everything you've said because I've been there myself. How much time do we waste trying to live up to what we believe other people want us to be? Why do we try to compare ourselves to others? We ARE good enough as we our.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post. Well said!
Great post, Madeline. I'm still learning this, but I hope to be where you are someday. Is it as blissful as I hope it will be? : )
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this, I felt like you were writing about me as well with this post. I'm trying hard to change this pattern now. I love Maya Angelou but hadn't read this quote before, it's perfect. I will keep it in mind from now on!
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping to get the week off to a great start. :)
Thank you, Ellie. It's good, and a little sad, to see I'm not alone in this struggle.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I'm there but I'm not there - if that makes sense. I have to remind myself of this every day and every time a situation arises where I might fall back into that old way of thinking. It's a struggle but it's worth it. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Julie. I wish this wasn't something so many of us seem to struggle with it. How freeing would it be to not have to in the first place, right? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Madeline,
ReplyDeleteWhat great advice. And I love the quote.
Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Donna
Thank you, Donna. And happy Valentine's Day to you and yours, too. :)
ReplyDeleteWe're good enough, we're smart enough, and who gives a crap if anybody likes us? Oh. We do. =[ As writers, we need to be confident in our ability and our work, come what may.
ReplyDeleteI agree about having the confidence, Milo. The trick is figuring out how to get it (if it doesn't come naturally) and then how to keep it, especially in the face of all that life pressure and writing rejection. :)
ReplyDelete