Often, I take the time to look at elements in my life or events and draw inspiration and lessons. Some things present themselves to me in obvious ways. So, there is no denying that there is a lesson within them. Other things are more subtle. They are drawn from glances, interactions with nature, simple conversations, or gentle nudges from books or lectures. 

Honest Reflection

More recently, a thing dawned upon me. Not that it hasn’t presented itself before, but more so at this moment in life. 

I looked at myself in the mirror. Then, as I and many of us do, I judged what I saw there. Of course, I will not bore you with details of my judgment. Sometimes I am a little too harsh, and other times, I am a little too lenient.

Everyday no Highlight

Nevertheless, that day I looked at myself, unadorned, fresh-faced, and dressed down. I knew what the day would hold, the task I would sit down to. I thought about the conversations I would have. It would be a typical day. A cup of coffee, a shower, and some light perfume. It would be a bit of breakfast for my youngest, followed by some household chores. And then sit down to my work of getting lost in a world of words for hours. Lastly, my day would unfold into dinner, some downtime with my spouse, and to bed to do it all over again. This day like so many others would be a typical day. It would be my every day. This brought me to thoughts of what the outside world saw of me.

Reels of Highlights

See, I realize that I pose for a few pictures at some point in my day. I fix myself up a bit, put on a smile, pose, and set my frames to some dramatic, pretty, or popular music. Then I post it. And that is what the world sees of me. My endless reels of highlights. I recognize that many will judge my entire life and purpose on that reel. There will be many who will draw their conclusions about who I am based on that highlight reel. But that is hardly who I am. That is what I want the world to see at the moment. Those reels are carefully crafted images. But that is not who I am every day.

A World of Highlights

Then I thought of mass media. I thought of magazines, music videos, television shows, and movies. I think of the litany of Instagram reels, Facebook posts, and Tik Tok’s. Consider how much they are consumed on a daily. Then think of how they impact the minds of so many. Sadly, there are so many who feel their lives dim in comparison to all those people. The standard seems impossible because it is.

Life is sprinkled with highlights. Highlights are not everyday. We all get sick and have pain. Most of us work, although our jobs may differ. Vacations are short-lived. No one wakes up completely flawless. To think any different is a trick of the mind.

Programmed to Feel Inferior

The images we are bombarded with daily are crafted and curated pictures and experiences. These people are putting their best foot forward and excising their flaws. It is an illusion. But rarely do we stop to see it that way. This is where shifting one’s mindset is crucial. We all have highlight reels; it’s that they are not present ted to us every day. So, we get lost in the litany of the highlight reels of others. I am here to tell you that is a prescription for misery.

“Comparison is an act of violence against the self.” – Iyanla Vanzant

Strengthen your mind to discern the difference. Do not be tricked into believing your life is subpar or that you are inferior. That is a lie. It is far from the truth. Instead, realize you are being programmed to feel negative, be dissatisfied, and strive for something you already have.

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is that we compare our behind the scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” Steve Furtick

Prescription: Create Your Own Highlight Reel

There is a way to counterbalance this. First, engage yourself in making your own highlight reel. And every day, play it back to yourself. Feed yourself with endless highlight reels of yourself until you start to recognize your greatness, beauty, and potential. Until you begin to realize that you are not inferior. There is no difference between you and the countless others. And if there is, most of it boils down to how you see yourself.