Competition is an outdated model of living. There is a strong calling for us all to begin recognizing our unity and working together, instead. Easier said then done, I know. We have all been taught from birth that we are separate from each other with every man or woman fighting for themselves in this so-called "dog eat dog" world. We compete to get into the best schools and then to get the best jobs so we can buy the best things and everybody will think we are cool. But, is that really why we are here? So that other people think we are cool?? Prettiest, smartest, funniest? You get the point. Surely, there has to be something more! So much more.
While it is true that, as individuals, we need to create our own destiny, putting others down or feeling bad about ourselves in the process should never be a part of the equation. But, those are the exact things that manifest when we feel separate and the need to compete or prove ourselves. With everything going on in the world today, we really need to ban together. The power of collective consciousness is the only way to trump many of the serious challenges that we are facing and will continue to face. We need to respect each other and work together.
Comparison to others can instantly suck the joy right of you. There is always going to be somebody that is ahead of you or has more of something that you want (and chances are they worked their little tail off to get there too!). So, instead of worrying about what others are doing and how you stack up in comparison, focus your love and attention on your own unique gift to the world. (Or to uncovering exactly what that gift is if you haven't quite figured that part out yet.) Connect to YOU! When you are in service, your thoughts and actions are rooted in love and there is simply no such thing as competition. Think about it. With the purest of intentions, there is no time or space to worry about what others think. (And, yes, you can tweet that.) Because, when you are in alignment with the greater good, none of that trivial stuff matters.
Competition is rooted in fear -- fear that you are not good enough, smart enough, special enough or unique enough. This is the ego's way of keeping us separate and small. It's also a huge distraction from our life's mission -- to spreading all the goodness we can possibly spread. When you are taken over by feelings of jealousy, anger, animosity, and lack on one end of the spectrum, or vanity, superiority and self-righteousness on the other end, then how can you possibly be at your best performance to help the world?
And, believe me, I know. I am far from perfect and have to continually work as I grow along my own spiritual path. For instance, it used to really bother me when somebody would come to me and say, "I think so and so is copying you. Didn't you just post something similar or doesn't this sound way too familiar?" It has happened in both my business and personal life. It used to really bug me, as my ego desperately tried to cling to my perceived specialness and uniqueness. It was my own immaturity and insecurities coming out that made me feel like I needed to get the credit or the pat on the back. It has taken much work and shining the light on this weakness of mine, but I've learned to just be happy to see how far the ripple effect can go. Ideas and inspiration are supposed to be shared (as long as actual copyright or intellectual property is not being trampled on in the process), and we're all so much better off when they are shared. Who am I (or anyone else) to try to hoard them?
We're all unique, like snowflakes. While we may have some similarities, there is nobody else in this entire world that is just like you or me. We all have our own very unique journey, life experiences, and perceptions. And, the world needs more of the special gift that each of us has inside. We should all feel encouraged and free to put our own unique spin on similar ideas and offer them to the world. There is plenty of space for all of us to do so! Instead of concerning yourself with what others are doing and how you compare, focus on what you love and what lights you up. Everything else will naturally fall into place!
Take me, for example. Sure, there are a million other self-help blogs, life coaches, and female entrepreneurs out there, but that doesn't stop me from spreading my own perspective on common ideas. People need to hear these same concepts in many different ways! We each have our own unique light to shine and impact to make. I don't spend my time worrying about how I compare to others because I don't give my heart and soul for the pats on the back and recognition. I do it out of love and to hopefully make a difference to someone. It's all about intention. When intent is rooted in pure love, you dreams will grown and manifest faster than you could ever imagine.
"When you want only love you will see nothing else" is a teaching from A Course in Miracles. I find this very true in my own practice. Stay focused on offering your gifts and love to the world, in service, and any need to be "the best" or "the first" or "the coolest" will just fade away into the darkness, where it belongs. Instead, you will feel only love. That's what it's about. Now, go out there and make your impact! Namaste.
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