Monday, July 6, 2009

It's very easy to....

not believe in yourself.


Do you ever agonize over a new project you are taking on at work? Perhaps it's whether or not you are taking good care of and spending time with your children. I can't tell you how difficult it is for me to balance the ins and outs of anything new that comes my way. I often go into "critical mode" when I see something that another person or mom is doing better than I am. Why is that?

For me when the feeling comes it's a matter of deciphering whether or not I'm struggling with low self esteem, inferiority or or just plain competing to be the best. I don't know about you - I'm going to expose myself here- but even in the world of blogging it's the same. I'll be searching blogs having fun when I begin to notice the amount of followers some other lovelies have. It's discouraging and I begin to feel like maybe I'm doing something wrong. Then it just goes on and on til' I finally snap out of it and say - you know what I'm doing this for me! Nobody else really matters. *I really do care about you all though ;)*

It is so hard to recognize when low self esteem, inferiority, fear, anxiety and self doubt are keeping you from doing your very best and being satisfied with that. Too often we look to be validated by power, people and prestige. Especially as moms, which is why too often, we become critical and set up a false standard we have to live by - and force others to live by. We do this looking to getting satisfaction from ourselves and to be fulfilled by the words of another man or woman.

The truth is you are unique with your own set of creativity & talents. That's what makes us awesome! In spite of the fear, keep moving forward and do what you have to do. The blessing is we don't have to have it all together right now. God will fill in the gaps that we leave open, lest we trip on them! If He believes in us, why can't we believe in ourselves?


Mastering whatever you are trying to master will come with time and patience- just manage your time wisely.

Do the same for your children and encourage them to be the unique & creative individuals He created them to be. If no one else has told you today, God believes in you and I believe in you. Let that be the crutch that helps you to get to the next level.

And by the way.... When are you gonna make that time for you???

- Just a thought....

4 comments:

Radical Selfie said...

Lovely post, Candace! Here here to that! We do this for ourselves, first and foremost. Also keep in mind that MANY regular visitors to your blog are stalkers (which means they won't follow or comment), but you never know how your writing may resonate with someone and inspire them in a positive direction. Keep it up, Ma!

Candace Sheppard said...

Thanks! LOL I appreciate it!

Quiskaeya said...

Great words of inspiration. Thanks for the reminder :)

Melinda said...

I struggle with this alot, Candace! You are not alone!! A few months ago I was sitting at a writing conference and thinking about writers who were winning awards and further in their careers and I believe God just said to me, "Run your own race." I want to run the race He has for me -- I don't want to miss it! It was a good wake-up call for me.

Now I'm working on getting past the fear so I can stay moving!!