Have you ever thought about how no matter what it is, whether it's something small or big everyone always seems to have an opinion about the matter. We are constantly bomb-barded by the opinions of others, opinions that can effect us more than we realize at the time. Whether the impact is good or bad all effect us in one way or another.
Popular opinion does not override the purposes of God...
Life is loud and it's messy. It is full of chaos and at times setbacks, but it is also so beautiful. I wonder what would happen if we would stop listening to opinions and looked at the facts right in front of us? More often then most care to acknowledge, we allow the opinions of those around us to determine our reactions and reshape our thought process. I would wager that most of us put more stock into what others say about us then what we know is true.
We live in a society that is constantly competing with each other. We compare ourselves to everyone around us and try to change ourselves into someone we were never meant to be. We each have been given a unique purpose and design to grow in and live out.
"A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it, it just blooms." - Zen Shin
What do you think would happen if this was our response as well? What if we decided to stop competing with those around us and allowed ourselves to bloom right where we are? I think it would be a beautiful canvas of grace and hope in this chaotic world.
This concept got me thinking about how nature doesn't try to compete with itself, it simply flourishes and grows where it is and radiates the beauty it is in and of itself. It's a lot like art, when the canvas is empty it can be hard to imagine what could be there. Or when the picture is only half finished, only the artist knows what is coming. I think life can be a lot like this at times, we only see a small part of the bigger canvas.
"Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more." - Vincent van Gogh
We have not been created to be just like the person next to us, if we were life would be extremely boring. You where born to be different and that is beautiful and enough. I want to stress this: you are ENOUGH just the way you are. Opinions vary and change all the time, but facts stay the same and the fact is you are enough and you are so very loved.
All your past mistakes and even the one's you've yet to make are all just a small part in the grander story of your life. Life is like a book, full of different chapters and seasons. The things that happen add up within those pages to create the story of your life. It can be crazy and hard, but it can also be so beautiful and full of grace.
In a sense life is a sculpture you cast as you make mistakes and learn from them...
The opinions of others should never outweigh the purposes of God on your life. You have been called and chosen by the Creator! No matter what may be holding you back just remember who you are and whose you are. You are enough just the way you are.
You have a God-given uniqueness!
- Alianna C.