So, I’m a bit behind on my Simply Tuesday posts. Here are a few of my thoughts on Section 3 (chapters 7, 8, & 9):
Emily writes about competition: “The thing about competition is that there is no time to connect with your competitors. You don’t face them; you try to beat them. You’re happiest when your back is to them because that means you’re winning.”
Ouch! I’ve struggled with this before and I think maybe some of you will be able to relate to this very honest video from one of my Periscopes this week where I talk about friendship and community and how I’ve struggled with comparison and jealousy at times. Watch it here.
Let’s be a community of women who are FOR others, who celebrate others, who cheerlead others!
I also loved this quote: “The truth is, people need our with-ness. They don’t need for us to impress them with how spiritual we are. They need to know they aren’t alone.”
Many times, the greatest gift we can give someone else is just the ministry of our presence.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and on how we, as women, can better foster community and relationships that are free from competition. How do you do this in your own life?
Later today, I’ll be sharing about what learned from Section 4 (chapters 10, 11, and 12) of Simply Tuesday.
margaret says
I can be very jealous of what other people have. Especially other moms. I have a lot of friends I don’t actually see and connect with on a regular basis. (I moved cross country, so more of my friends are on Facebook than new friends I’ve made here) So, all I see of them is their good moments on Facebook. I think it’s very important to have one on one time with friends so you can share not only the good, but also your bad. It’s helpful to be honest with each other about the things that are bringing us down. It makes us more human and lets each other know we’re not alone in our weakness.
Also, to the analogy above about winning. Winning should not be an end goal, because you will be alone in that winner’s circle. 🙁
I’m still working on not competing. It helps to have goals, to know what is actually important to ME. When I am jealous of another person’s success, it’s not because I want to do what they do… It’s because I want to feel like I’ve accomplished something in my own life.
Now that it’s payday, I’ve finally bought this book. Can’t wait to read through it!