88 In-spire LS
I
was reading an article on a MSN a number of weeks
ago about a new craze aptly titled `Instagram Envy'. The
phrase of course speaks for itself. There is an ongoing
issue with many people becoming jealous of the lives
they see of their favourite celebrities to individuals they
follow on TWITTER or know in their day to day lives.
At a very young age, I was brought up to realise that in
this world that we live in, there is always someone who is
silently competing with us, whether we realise it or not.
On the outside this individual may appear to support your
ambitions and want you to grow and develop. However,
internally they are hoping that they surpass you; whether
it be by attaining success in their relationships at work or
with a partner, getting a promotion at work or starting a
business or simply owning a car and driving a better car
than you. A saying I was told when growing up that I feel
does at times ring true is `Life is a competition and they
are keeping scores'. The question is, should it even matter
if they do. Should we care if we are not where we thought
we would be after a certain period of time. Shouldn't the
only person we be in competition with be ourselves?
Slow and steady has proved time and time again that it
wins the race. We may not have reached or achieved all of
the goals that we set out for ourselves over the years but
that doesn't mean to say that we won't make our dreams a
reality.
I remember as a teenager taking my GCSE's and being
very competitive during year 10 and 11. I had people
from different subjects who were all doing better than
me in one way or another . I silently chose one individual
to represent each subject and set a bench mark to beat
them during exams and for coursework. A little healthy
competition has never harmed anyone and although I got
higher in some subjects, I didn't in all, but what it did do
is enhance my motivation levels, heighten my confidence
and the belief I had in my own abilities.
Somewhere along the line though, particularly as we
make the transformation between teenage life and
adulthood. Our frustrations, lack of money and missing
out on opportunities can cause many of us to lose the
faith we had in ourselves. We look outside of ourselves for
inspiration from those around us or those who we admire
from the entertainment world or fashion world. However,
as the challenges increase and the pressures mount,
instead of using their achievements to help us believe that
we can achieve whatever we have set out for ourselves.
Some of us wish it were easier, we wish we had what they
had and we begin to dislike them for what they have as it
acts as a reminder of what we don't have.
Growing up, have fallen down that trap many times. I look
at all the great things that I have achieved and I feel that
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Editor's Words, Thoughts
and Reflections