The Grass Ain’t Always Greener

I saw an Instagram post the other day that made reference to not losing sight of your own purpose by focusing on someone else’s. And I thought “mhm, the grass ain’t always greener”. I guarantee you, the moment you take your eyes off of your own tree, it stops bearing fruit; because who's watering it, making sure it gets enough sun, and picking the fruits before they get overripe and rot?  

I think it is a blessing to guide someone and an even bigger blessing to seek help. The downfall is when you view others as the competition and feel as though we have to outdo them. All the energy we put into doing more or playing catch up will leave us spent! Chances are, all the work that they've done or are currently doing is incomparable to what we're even prepared for. But we weren't ready for that. Now the extra responsibilities that we've so eloquently employed are exhausting us. And remember, busyness doesn't equate to productivity.  

For example, what if your purpose in this season is to do outreach for teenagers in the community? But because Trish is doing it big on social media, you’ve willingly followed in her footsteps. And guess what? You’ve lost those teens’ attention because you were the engagement they needed in order to stay focused. Mhm ... think about those things. In my opinion, some of us are wired to think that we have to have on up one someone else so we feel good about ourselves. And in the world of social media, we wait for others to validate us. Honey, prove you, to you. Don't live for anyone else but yourself. Feed your grass.

Listen, I AM NOT saying, don’t acquire new skills nor expand your craft/brand; that's important. I think where we get lost, is when we prematurely step into a season that we are not yet equipped for nor do we understand what tools to ask for. When you're focused on the vision, God will provide. No, He may not throw manna from the sky, but He will provide you with the right people AT THE RIGHT TIME! Jerry Flowers Jr., said it best - He will place people in your life that serves as an example of where you're going; of course with the ability of discernment, you'll know who those people are. If what you're doing isn't glorifying God, is it really worth doing? If you didn't realize, I'm talking about purpose. Use your life as an example for someone else to discover their purpose.

All I'm saying is, stay focused on your path. I've said this before, comparison is truly the thief of joy. You'll never know what someone else has been through that got them to where they are. Don't think because of the pretty pictures and glam that they have it easy, or that they got there by the click of a finger. It takes hard work, dedication, and consistency.

“Its not an easy road, an' many see the glamour and the glitter so them tink a bed a rose .. mi seh, who feels it knows, ooh, Lord help me sustain these blows”

- Buju Banton, Not An Easy Road

Nurture your grass and stop complaining about everyone else's being greener.