Thankful Thursdays: Comparison

5.17.2012

Here.
I want to start by saying that please  don't get me wrong, I really do love blogging! I find it to be an amazing creative outlet and 'connector.' It has definitely enriched my life and if I didn't enjoy it, I just wouldn't do it. But when I was visiting Tulsa last weekend, I got to visit my old church (that is AWESOME by the by). And the message that morning was about Exodus 20:17 - "You shall not covet your neighbor's house, your neighbor's wife....." etc. Essentially, the 10th Commandment.

As I was listening to the message, I immediately looked to what area in my life leads to the most covetousness- and, unfortunately, that would be the internet. Every day through blogs, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, etc, we are given a platform to compare our lives to others and to look at what others have. Most bloggers are 100% honest in saying that their lives are not perfect, and oftentimes not even close to what they feature on their blogs. But that doesn't always stop us (or, me) to comparing my life to theirs. It's super easy to focus on "I want that purse. I wish that were my house. She is so lucky.." etc. And this is a really slippery slope. It makes me lose sight of how blessed I am and how wonderful of a life I have. Comparison is a hop, skip and a jump away from covetousness. To that end, I've really enjoyed the "Things I'm Afraid To Tell You" movement in the blog world, especially Liz's, Ashlina's and Erika's. I LOVE that these girls chose to keep it real, and I'm super thankful they chose to do so.

There is nothing wrong with looking at beautiful things on the internet. The danger, at least for me, is when I start to compare and lose sight of what is really important in life. It is important for me to remember that while I may want a Chanel purse, I really don't think that having one will make me truly happy. True happiness, fortunately, comes from things that cannot be purchased. Although,  this quote rings true for me sometimes - ha!

So, this is me saying that I'm always going to keep it real. I'm going to love what I have and who I am. I am going to be thankful. I'm going to make a concerted effort to not compare myself to others (or what they show of themselves on the internet). And I'm going to focus on what I am grateful for in my life, because I really am one blessed gal :)

Want to learn about about covetousness and how to combat it? Listen to the sermon here.

That's it! Thanks for listening reading my ramblings!

12 comments :

  1. Amazing post Emily! So. so true. There are three awesome quotes that I have and try to remind myself of daily..."Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have." The others are, "Collect moments, not things." and the last which hit me like a ton of bricks the first time I read it, "What if you woke up today with only the things that you thanked God for yesterday." So true right?
    I too, as a blogger surround myself with gorgeous rooms and objects each day on the internet and find myself constantly saying, "I want...". It's so true that we sometimes need to step back and just simply be thankful for all the blessings we already have and stop worrying about what others have. SO happy you posted this today! Very inspirational!
    xoxo, Sarah

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  2. Sarah I adore all three of those quotes, thank you so much for sharing!!

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  3. thank you so much for sharing these thoughts emily. i couldn't agree with you more. it is so easy to focus on all the things we wish we had instead of the things God has already blessed us with. Thanks again for the reminder and for always being so real and true to yourself. i love that about you!

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  4. Thanks, Ang! Love you to the moon and back! xo

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  5. Believe it or not, I was actually just thinking about this topic (and this exact quote) yesterday. Truer words were never spoken. Great post!

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  6. Thanks, dear. Great minds think alike! xoxo!

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  7. Amen, sister!!!! Love this post and your honesty! So true! Blessed, Indeed! Jamie

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  8. So glad, Jamie! Thanks for letting me know it resonated with you! xo

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  9. I love this and completely relate. Thanks for sharing :)

    bstylewise.blogspot.com

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  10. Thank YOU Brooke! xo!

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  11. AnonymousMay 24, 2012

    Emily, it's refreshing to hear an honest take on how important it is to keep our wants and desires in check. Living in Papua New Guinea is a daily reminder that just having a solid roof over your head and cloths on your back is a privilege. Sometimes living in the moment and savoring what you have presently is the best gift you can give yourself. I do have to admit that your blog is my window in to cloths shopping and house decorating since neither of those are an option here… so please keep sharing. Wishing you all the best – Erin

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  12. Erin- Thanks so much for your feedback on this post! It really means the world to me. Posting more personal thoughts is difficult, but made so much easier by the comments I've received, so thank you! xoxo!

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Love hearing from you! Thanks for commenting :)

 
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