You won’t believe where I found a limiting belief the other day! Sometimes they just slap me right in the face when I’m least expecting it.
I went to a Paint Nite event with a friend recently, and it was SO much fun. It’s one of those events where you invite a friend, meet at a pub, order a glass of wine, and then paint a replicate of what the teacher is instructing. Super fun- I highly recommend it. When we finished painting it was lovely to witness that no two canvases looked alike. I also noticed that everyone was comparing their work to others; comments were flying around complimenting others and in the next breathe putting down their own unique artwork.
What I felt was a strong urge to do the same. I felt as though I had to compliment others and notice only the flaws in my painting. Sure, I’m no Picasso, and I could have said that mine looked like someone had vomited all over the canvas, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to see the flaws. I enjoyed the activity of painting and bashing the result with words would simply wash that joy away.
We are always comparing ourselves to other people, but how often do we allow ourselves to be ok with our uniqueness? Many of us have this subconscious limiting-belief we need to measure up, do better and be just like everyone else. Well, we’re not all the same! There are many similarities between us, but we don’t have to be alike in every way. I’d hate to think of a world without our own identities, uniqueness, and crazy quirks. Boring!!!
Being different doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Would you honestly want to be just like everyone else? I love the fact that I walk to the beat of my drum. I’ve never been much of a follower, and I tend to make up my own rules, but that works for me. I’ve started to see that showing up with my unique qualities gives other’s permission to do the same.
What would your life be like if you let yourself shine!
If you like something about yourself, be proud of it, notice it and embrace it. Don’t squash it for fear of being different, or that you’re bragging or being egotistical. Authenticity carries different energy than ego. If you’re authentic others will feel it, and if they don’t, it’s because they can’t get in touch with their own uniqueness.
So next time you go to compare yourself to someone else ask the question; What unique qualities can I be proud of bringing forth for the world to see? What parts of me do I love and can share with others?
Love really does make the world go round, but it always starts with yourself. So let’s do our best to make the world spin fast! Shall we?
Calgary Canada Life Coach Arianne Moore, Coaching for Women, helps clients worldwide.