Echo XXIV

I’ve been finding myself falling into a hole lately, one based in self-doubt and uncertainty. Loneliness, fatigue, poor choices, restless nights, so many things so quickly and easily compound these feelings. We watch our friends excel in things, whether it be financially, personally, professionally, romantically, the list goes on. We browse post after post of the “perfect life” on social media.

Yet, you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Whether you believe in fate or destiny or nothing at all, the place where you currently stand is exactly where you’re supposed to be. Yes, your circumstances can and are impacted by things like your choices, words, and actions, but those things all culminate in where you currently are. If you see things that need improving, take quantifiable steps to improve upon them. If you’re financially burdened, look into ways to better budget your money, pickup a side hustle like Uber Eats or crafts on Etsy. If you’re struggling with your being, find things that make you feel whole – reignite passions for old hobbies, start going to church, splurge on a gift for yourself, take your kids to the park that you’ve been thinking about.

Circumstances are not entirely yours to choose but they are entirely yours to embrace. Change comes intrinsically before anything else. If you can’t identify and work towards fixing things within yourself you’ll never be able to fix those outside yourself.

It is a constant struggle to allow yourself to simply be. Its much easier to compare to others and their journeys, compare our struggles and victories against their own. This does nothing but diminish your own efforts and provide them with nothing. Your thoughts, unless you reach out to Joe Schmo and tell him how much you love his life and hate your own, simply fall on deaf ears other than those of your own. Comparing your being to others has no positive impact barring the possibility it sparks a fire that pushes you to grow.

Seeing others and using it as inspiration is not the same as seeing others and using it as comparison. We are all on our own paths, keep your eyes on yours and yours alone.

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