3 Tips to Cultivate Your Growth
It’s almost May and so many people are itching to get their hands into the dirt to start planting stuff. I could nod my head and say I’m right there with them. Except I’m not.
Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing pretty flowers and eating fresh garden vegetables! I just don’t enjoy gardening. I don’t do the heat and bugs and weed frustrations very well. (That’s why I absolutely love local farmers markets! I can get ahold of pretty stuff and fresh-grown veggies without all the parts I don’t enjoy.)
I can’t tell you how guilty I feel about that fact though. All these “shoulds” come into play in my self-talk and I end up feeling less than…whatever (or whomever) because I don’t incorporate gardening into my life.
Can you relate? Maybe not about gardening, but in this military spouse life, do you ever feel “less-than” because you’re not good at something or don’t enjoy a certain aspect of life that everyone else seems to?
If so, I’m hoping to encourage both you and me with three reminders today:
1. Let’s stop the comparisons.
That’s so easy to say and yet so difficult sometimes to do. We have to remember that it isn’t a competition. Just because I’m really good at something doesn’t mean you have to be. I have my own passions, pursuits, and areas of strength and yours might be very different. That’s okay! Actually, it’s more than okay—it’s great because then we can help each other out!
2. Let’s focus on what we are good at.
Instead of looking around us and feeling less-than because we aren’t good at ________ (fill in the blank) like she is, let’s focus on the areas of life we do well. Now, I’m not suggesting we never strive to learn new things or improve ourselves; I am suggesting we spend our time developing those areas of interest and strength instead of wasting time wishing we were more like someone else.
3. Let’s say no when we can.
When asked if we would like to do something that we know is not an area of strength, consider saying no. That is so hard for us to do, I know! But by saying no, we’re very likely opening the door for someone to say yes who really loves to do that thing. Sometimes passing on one opportunity allows us to step into a different opportunity that truly fits who we are.
I understand the whole “volun-told” concept within the military; however, I know there will be times we don’t really have the choice to say no. When those times come, though, we can look for areas within that event or responsibility where we can work in our strengths.
Dear reader, I hope you are encouraged to celebrate who you are and what you are good at and let the rest go.
