You're Doing Okay!

I went to my friend's wedding this weekend.  So fun!  Who doesn't love a good wedding with photo booth, father-daughter multi-song bananza, and just absolutely beautiful holiday decor?  Right.  So it was amazing.  However, one thing I did realize is that weddings are also a time where people not only catch up, but can also get "caught up" in the "so tell me about your life" question.  It seems it's positioning us to "highlight" reel the last 3 months, 2 years, or even 10 years (depending!) 

Be careful in listening to those highlight reels.  Remember that they are just that:  highlights.  I once heard someone say "Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone's highlight reel," because the reality is they don't ever look the same.  Most people don't delve into the mundane, the worries, and the frustrations they encounter in everyday life when they are trying to just fill you in on their last (insert number here) years.  And it's thereby unfair to judge your life against it, even if it may be tempting or second-nature.

If you find yourself comparing anyways and feeling down about your seemingly not "up to par" reality, try this:  write your highlight reel.  Or if that's not doing it for you, step into someone shoes and objectively ask yourself, "What could they be jealous of that I've done."  Maybe you have a new baby or a new house.  Maybe you paid off a loan.  Maybe you are committed to being healthier or took a trip.  It sounds terrible to say "what could someone be jealous of that you have?" but sometimes we don't realize just how special we are or just how well we are doing.  Why is that?  Because we live it every day!  We don't always see the forest through our own trees. 

So remember, You're doing okay!  Smile.  Laugh.  And if you're just frustrated that you're not where you thought you'd be at this point in your life, the nice thing is you can always reassess and adjust.  Nothing is so set in stone that it is unmovable. So take it all with a grain of salt and reward yourself for the accomplishments and milestones you have passed.  Life is good, and you are doing great!