insecure.

i love pinterest.  if anything...for this quote alone.

i've wanted to write about this for quite some time.  got the gentle nudge from a photog friend when i commented on this topic on her blog (thanks christa!).  her humility and honesty really struck me.  i'd never admitted it before.  but it's something i, as well as MANY photographers (even if they DON'T want to admit it) struggle with:

comparing our work, our style, our business, our everything...to everybody else's.

it's almost like i have a voice inside my head saying, "wow, look at all the fans he/she has..."  or "hmmm...brilliant idea there.  wish i'd thought of that..."  or....  "i need that lens so i can do thaaaat...."

wow.  i hate that.  i hate that it bothers me.  the fact that i get caught up in what everyone else is doing and, for some reason, i'm drawn like a zombie (ha!  fitting...  halloween just happened...) to check out new photographers, new blogs, 'like'-ing page after page.......and of course, they come up in my newsfeed so i'm seeing their work come up, with AMAZING regularity (how do they do it?!) and i'm STUCK here.  uninspired.  insecure.  jealous.  trapped by the sense that everyone else is brilliant.  and well...i'm not.

then, i remember this quote from a young pastor who spoke at the global leadership summit (a world-class leadership training event that challenges, inspires and serves the church...),

...one of the reasons we struggle with insecurity is because we're comparing our behind-the-scenes
with everybody else's highlight reel.

                                                         -- steven furtick

it was an amazing talk.  here's a clip of it.  :D

so, whenever i feel this way again (which, let's face it...happens a lot...) i'm going to remember these very wise words...

comparison.  steals.  joy.

with God's help, i'm not going to let insecurity win anymore.  i am unique.  i am special.  i am ME.  and there's no other ME out there.  :D

don't let comparison steal your joy like it did mine, k?!  k.  :D

"...for I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

                                                                     -- Jeremiah 29:11