Real Life April 28, 2013
The act of making comparisons, robs us of the chance to feel gratitude for what we have. Comparisons steal our joy. Amen, sister!
All of this wisdom has been pilfered from today’s post at Gwen Moss aka Leslie, is a retired psychology professional (I say that because I don’t know all of her many degrees and appropriate titles. All I know is that she really understands how our heads and hearts go together!)
I told Leslie, in my comment to her post, that I had, just this past week, thought about photographing my house as it is, before I photograph it! The pretty patios that you see on my blog’s “home tour” are clean and darned near perfect. There is no algae growing in the fountain. The spiders have not claimed the seating areas as their own and no one can tell that life keeps me so frantically busy that I have no time to sit in the “seating area”, spiders or not!
Just today, I visited two of my favorite shops. One is owned by Sonia, at Fleuri, here in Carmichael and the other shop is a new one, called The Ruralist, at the 57th Street Antique Mall, here in Sacramento.
Both Tom, at The Ruralist and Sonia at Fleuri, have spent their lives in retail, antiques, display and the like. They are pro’s and it shows. I walk through their shops and immediately start making comparisons. 
Yes, I need psychiatric help! Why do I do this? It’s nuts!
The bottom line is that we are all God’s children. We all have our special talents and accomplishments and challenges. Whether it be gardening, business, parenting, interior design, SEO, homemaking, nursing, you name it! All I can say is that what ever your gift or passion is, do it! If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking! Everywhere. Under rocks, or anywhere you can go to find the “thing” that makes you sing! Don’t give up! Use the gifts you were given and share them with others. That is our purpose. That is why we are here.
I’ll share Tom’s shop, The Ruralist, with you later this week. It really is lovely. Tom’s look is Tom’s and Barbara’s shop isn’t anyone’s but Barbara’s. I’m not going to try to emulate Tom’s look, anymore than he will imitate mine. (I’m talking to myself, here, you see!)
Whoever you are, whoever I am…let’s celebrate it. Are we done learning or growing? Heck, no! That’s life. Real Life!
Great post! And one that applies no matter what season of your life you are in! Thanks Barbara!
Thanks, sweetness. Hope you’ve had a good Monday!
Hugs,
B.
This is a wonderful reminder comparison is rarely has a positive result.
Traci
Right on, sister!
Wow…good post! I struggle with this a lot, unfortunately. Thanks for the gentle reminder 🙂
Hi Linda,
I think most of us do a pretty good job of covering up our insecurities, but we all have them!
Hugs,
B.
I like your style your class and your persistence….and everything you have done in a very short time. great post as so true I want to be as good a artist as Karin and funny like Bliss and creative like MMS and as good a photographer as Funky Junk and persistent like a treasure of a person who wrote a thoughtful post….but I am content as a Kalamitie lol
Hi sweets,
I think you’re a little bit of all these people. Nne of us all all that unique and special. I think some of us just do a better job of packaging it all up! 🙂
Barbara…love this post…I really try not to compare myself to others…but human nature sometimes does not allow us not to…we slip, and then step back and listen to that little voice in our head..In my “early years” I was so busy in my other career and busy making a comfortable home for my family…raising our son..you know what I mean…but now, I have the freedom to do what I always wanted to so…I am happy “in the food chain”…however, I have been presented with an opportunity…(not blog related) and I am torn..I think you can advise me a bit..so look for an email!!….
Barbara, Can you hear me chuckling through the computer screen? I love this post and thanks for your kind words, but just so you know, I’m nuts too!
BTW- This is the cutest darn photo of you…
As a side note, I’ve been to both those shops and they have nothing over yours!
hugs,
Leslie
You are too sweet! Thanks for all the “food for thought!”
Hi Barbara, words of wisdom for sure. We all put ourselves out her and do our best to make the world a kinder, loving, and yes beautiful place.
We must follow our own light!
PS I am having a Paris Book Giveaway!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
nice article barbara. it is so nice that everyone is differnt so really there is no need for comparison-it only leads to negative vibes.
you have a beautiful business and you should be proud of your accomplishments!
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine.
Please let me know where you got your design. Appreciate it
Thanks! Cascade Valley Designs Created the blog for me. Talk to Ann Marie. Great work!