Beyond Envy & Imitation

There’s a dangerous allure in looking over our neighbor’s fence, wondering if the grass is truly greener on their side. I’ve often found myself doing just that, comparing my milestones and setbacks to others and feeling disheartened when I perceive myself lagging behind.

Have you ever felt that tug? That silent nudge urging you to measure your life by another’s ruler? This is a treacherous path, where you might find yourself walking in someone else’s shoes, only to realize they never quite fit.

Too many of us, perhaps even unconsciously, lace up those ill-fitting shoes. I have tried emulating other people’s paths, thinking it would bring me the same fulfillment. Only when I felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness did I realize I was chasing someone else’s dream and not my own.

When we tread paths others have walked, thinking they lead to our promised land, we sell ourselves short. Remember when we were kids, and we’d make our own trails in the woods or draw our own roads in the sand? Those were paths we created, and the joy was unparalleled.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide…” I feel that every time I think about the countless souls trading their dreams for the familiar script handed to them by society. For years, I was one of them, trapped in a mold I thought I had to fit into, afraid to break out and follow my own heart. Emerson believed in each person’s unique power, and he’s spot on. We all have that special ‘something’ that only shines when we give it the space to breathe.

It’s easy to be swayed by what we “should” do. I’ve been there, swayed by family, peers, partners, and media expectations. The weight of those “shoulds” bore heavily on me, stifling my genuine passions and making me feel like I was not enough. But when did we start letting “should” dictate our passions or measuring our worth? When did we start letting other people’s opinions of who we ‘should’ be matter more than who we wanted to be?

Every heartbeat, every fleeting moment is an opportunity to tune into ourselves, to listen to that soft whisper that speaks of dreams, desires, and passions.

Maybe you’ve felt that nudge, that tiny voice inside urging you to paint, write, dance, or simply be still and listen. Those nudges, my friend, are clues. They’re signposts guiding you toward the life that will make your heart sing.

It’s never too late to listen, to pivot, to rediscover your joy.

You have unique experiences and insights that only you can express and share. By doing so, you can impact and inspire others in a way that no one else can. Emerson said, “None but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.” And oh, how right he was!

Walk your path, dear friend, and let the world marvel at your unique footprints.

Always,

Your Trusted Friend ♥