Everyone Struggles

Sometimes I have to remind myself that everyone struggles with something, or during certain
times.

Thanks to the world of facebook, twitter, blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram, we are CONSTANTLY
reminded of how seemingly wonderful other people's lives are. Others seem to always eat healthy,
or always wear the cutest clothes, or always wear immaculately done MAC, Urban Decay, or
Bobbi Brown makeup. I also see pics of people that only wear Lululemon for their workouts, or
that get a new pair of of the latest running shoes every month. When they aren't working out, or
preparing elaborate clean meals, (in their beautifully decorated, immaculately clean home) they
are crafting, painting, or making amazing DIY gifts to give for the perfect occasion or to sell in
their Etsy store.

Seriously? Is is just me? Am I the only one that starts to feel inadequate after being bombarded
with these thoughts and images every day? Good grief, shouldn't I have left these feelings behind
back in the 7th grade?

It just seems like some people have an "easy" button for their lives.

I try not to compare myself to others. I try to count my own blessings, but sometimes I feel that I
am not as gifted, or talented as others are.

I just don't feel like I can keep up.

For example, I am a personal trainer and a health coach. I should have no problem exercising
regularly. I should know all the latest techniques, and I should eat healthy 80% (or more) of the
time.

Right?  I'm supposed to have it all together and know all the answers. If I want to have a
blog that others want to visit, my blog, my workouts, and my body should inspire the world to
live better and be healthier. No?

I DO realize as I'm typing this that it does sound ridiculous!

The problem? It's truly how I feel. These are the thoughts that bombard my mind every minute
of most days.

Take a look at the books that I pulled off my bookshelf this morning...

These are the books that I own that were purchased to help me figure it all out and to get myself
together.

Maybe one of the problems is that I've only read about 30 pages in each book. Maybe none of the
books would have worked anyway. I can't say for sure.

All I CAN say for sure is that I KNOW that everyone struggles. That has to be the truth. People are
human, and no human is perfect!

I've got to stop the comparison game. I've got to stop being hard on myself because I'm not one of
the people that can brag daily about their charmed life.

Actually, I wouldn't want to be one of those people. I want to keep my focus on my God, my family,
and my home. NOT on my stuff!

I need to turn my attention inward, and focus on Him and on my successes each day. (even if they
look like baby steps to the rest of the world, & even if they don't appear "brag worthy") I know
they are there, I just need to look for them. That way, I can inspire myself to be better than I was
yesterday, not to be equal to, or better than anyone else. Trying to seem better than others is a
game that NO ONE wins!

Everyone struggles!



Am I the only one that ever feels this way?

Have you ever felt a twinge of jealousy when someone else constantly talks about their 
fabulous stuff and their fabulous life?



Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I felt like I needed to face this issue in order to
rise above it and move forward.


* Please understand that I do realize that most of the posts, pics, status updates, etc. 
   that I'm referring to are not intended to be bragging. I realize that this is an issue
   that I struggle with, and I don't blame others. This post was hard to write, and even 
   harder to publish.