You are Significant!

I've been reading this wonderful book written by a friend of mine, Melissa Haupt, called Apple Pie with Lucy: A Story of One Woman's Search for Significance.  I love that she took the initiative to address this subject that most if not all women struggle with. Plus she does it with a fictional character in a story line... the way I love reading books! There were several nuggets that I took that were extremely applicable to me but the one that I would like to share with you all today is this,

"When you do not know who you are you risk the chance of becoming like someone else. Like those you surround yourself with. Like those you admire. However, in life it empowers you to just be you. To be yourself."

I know that I should surround myself with good and positive people in order to not pull myself down into negativity, but I never thought of it exactly how Melissa puts it in her book.  You have to know who you are, what you are about, what you stand for. Otherwise you are just trying to be those you surround yourself with. And while they may be extremely great, talented, smart, funny, spiritual, or wealthy people, they are not you. And what you have to contribute to this world is just as important as the things they are contributing. I know when I personally am comparing myself to those around me they have wonderful qualities I want to possess, but  I can get so focused on that, that  I loose sight of who I am and what I actually need to be developing to be able to offer the best me to the world.  The one already endowed with seeds of greatness from God.

Melissa puts it so easy to understand, I loved this:

"You were birthed into this world at this very time in history for a reason. There are no coincidences about your existence. You are here to solve a problem and leave behind a legacy which continues to impact the world. To significantly leave it better than how you found it when you got here."

We are here for a purpose and I think that each of us knows what it is whether we are in tune or not is a different story, when we are pursuing it we feel fulfilled and rich (not necessarily monetarily;0)! and when we are not in tune with our God given purpose there is a hole in our hearts/soul that we can only ignore for so long before it seems to eat away at us!

And the last tidbit I will share with you is a quote from Grandma Lucy,
"The aim of the game we call life is to live as congruent with who we are authentically. The woman God made you to be. The woman who is amazing, talented, gifted, unique, and qualified to live out the very purpose which was planted in your soul when you were birthed into this world."

I cannot express the fulfillment and joy that I have found in pursuing my music congruent with my role as wife and mother (both of which I LOVE!) As I've stepped out and taken risks beyond my comfort zone I do find that I have already been given all the qualities I need to succeed. Its just a matter of tapping into them and showing myself I have them! The cool thing is we all have a different purpose. There is no need for comparison, or jealousy, we are all uniquely designed by a divine creator who gifted us talents, qualities, and strengths unique to us to help us pursue our earthly purpose.

Thanks Melissa for your courage to step outside your comfort zone and inspire women everywhere with your book! If you haven't yet read it go onto Amazon and buy it! You can even get it for your Kindle! No excuses!!!! If you need a little help remembering who you are and your significance READ it!