I'm just an ordinary girl doing ordinary things and as much as I do love my life I still struggle with feeling like I'll never get it or I'm just not good enough or what difference could I really make?
Then I heard this yesterday in church by Bishop H. Burke Peterson
“Do you think for a moment that Heavenly Father would have sent one of His children to this earth by accident, without the possibility of a significant work to perform?…“My dear friends, you are a royal generation. You were preserved to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose. Not just a few of you, but all of you. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do.”This quote resonated with me and as I sat and thought about Bishop Peterson's words and the statement THEY ARE NOT YOU I was inspired to do this art journal entry.
Each of us is unique in our own way and here with a specific purpose. To some that may be a grand purpose and to others it may be very simple, but the fact remains the same, it is something that no one else can do. It's interesting that we're taught these simple concepts as a child and through our youth and yet it is still something that I need to be reminded of. I think part of the reason I keep forgetting is my ongoing battle with comparison. Adam and I have a saying that goes like this, "comparison is the thief of joy". If you really think about it, it's so true. Focusing on others rob us from living our own life, from trying, from reaching and even seeing our own potential.
I wish I had done this art journal entry on canvas so I could hang it up and remind myself daily that I am me. I have a purpose. I can do something that no one else can do.
They are not me.
They are not you.
We can make a difference.
30 comments:
Thanks for the post. I am glad I am not the only one that needs reminding that I too am unique and that comparing destroys joy like you said. I don't know you, but you share alot of the same feelings I have. Thanks again.
That entry in your art journal was so powerful. This is something I need to constantly remind myself each day.
I think in the church many of us, at times, feel like cookie cutter versions of each other. Our lots are so similar throughout many stages of our lives.
I really enjoyed this post Amy. Thank you for sharing it.
I love your saying. Comparison really does rob us of joy.
ANd your art work is wonderful!
I love this. It goes along with what's been on my mind lately too. Your saying is great, and so is your art -- I think you should hang it up anyway.
What a great post amy. I would love to know some of your art techniques. I have it in me to try to do more, but i don't even know where to begin. I'd love to hear how you create some of these things. Thanks for your words also...I need to not compare myself to YOU!
I love your posts... and this one especially. You really should hang it up anyway. Or you could always take a really good picture of it and have it printed on canvas, or just photo paper and frame it...
Frame it! It is wonderful! I think that we all have our moments - an interesting comment that came from a discussion from one of your YW.
I love it. What a perfect piece of art to depict this saying. What a great post. Thanks for inspiring me!
I think everyone struggles with feelings like this from time to time, but we all know that we don't really want to be anyone else.
The art piece is fantastic!
I am glad you posted this. Often I feel that way as well, like I have no worth or why am I here. Then I read what one of the GAs have to say and I feel a lot better.
We can make a difference!
such a lovely post; thanks for taking the time to write it down.
Love the artwork, and thanks for the quote. I'm going to use it tonight. I'm working with the Beehives to pass off Individual Worth #1 and #7. I know what you mean about comparing. Not good. And for the record....it is way worse in UT....or this area of UT anyway.
Thank you, Amy. Something I needed to hear.
Wow, Amy, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. So inspiring, and I love that quote. Your artwork is beautiful, it really captures "they are not you".
I love getting my daily dose of inspiration via Amy!
I love this art- and the thoughts that go along with it!
I'm not sure how I found your site, but it is great! Your photos are stunning, as is your art! Thanks for your thoughts too!
Wow, I totally needed this myself today. You did a great thing posting this. Your art work is extra special today, love how you made yourself stand out. Really touching, really real. Love your stuf.
I love that quote - "comparison is the thief of joy". And your art piece says so much without words. Lovely thoughts, Amy.
Thanks for this! A similar thought has been on my mind for a while. I love your art interpretation - you are unique!
Thank you for those comments. Did you know that I was praying the last few nights about these same feelings and this was part of an answer to my prayers? I needed that boost. See, you are unique and only you could've given me that answer by following the Spirit. Thank you so much! I am YW Pres. and I'll have to share that quote with them too! You rock!
Well...shoot...I wanted to be you. But, it's true...I'm not. I love the quote "comparison is the thief of joy" because it is true. My heart is never content when I devote part of it to wishing I were more like someone else.
I like your portrait. It's fascinating for me to watch someone with so much talent. So here I am, admiring...and not comparing.
Great post - and great blog. I love your creativity and honesty with yourself. I'm not sure how I found you, but I'm definitely coming back!
Amy, I have been following your blog for just over a year now and I have learned so much from you in this time. I admire your strength and conviction to make change in your life and to grow as an individual, wife and a family. Your perspectives are refreshing and your concerns are reflections of those many of us share on some level.
Your posts are like gifts and your art (in all its forms) are like the bows!
I love the phrase that you have used as inspiation, and I will write it down as a reminder to me (it's difficult not to compare yourself when you are new to an area and trying to find your niche in a new environment). I also will share this with my daughter as she grows from a toddler to a young girl.
Lastly, your Art Journal is gorgeous! Have you thought about investing in a beautiful cookbook holder so that you can display whatever journal piece speaks to you most at any given time?
Many Blessings,
Dana
Thank you for this great thought. I have been following your blog for awhile and this post has gotten me out of the "shadows" to comment. I really needed to hear this today and am glad you shared it. Comparing really does rob us of joy...Thank you again for this.
Thank you for posting this. It is ever so appropriate now as my children struggle with the social structure they find themselves in in Grade school. It took me a while to accept who I was and find/define the role I had to play in life....I pray they are able to discern their roles in life mush earlier. Thank you for this.
I lurke through your blog quite often & love it.
this post is so beautiful! I wish you made this art entry as a print so I could buy one! Gorgeous & so meaningful... thanks for sharing.
Amy-
You are great! I have always admired you and I love reading about your life now. Thanks for this post. It reflects so many of my feelings. It is really easy to feel inadequate in our world today. We have to remember that we are marvelous!
Your friend-
Liz
I love the illustration. Mixed media, color, mood and content...i just love it. am
ok, um...i didn't comment on this? i thought i was one of the first. wow, i really must be losing my mind! of course, you know i think it's beautiful. i love it. i'm so glad you're putting it on canvas. and i'm sorry that i didn't comment. i don't know what happened.
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