Mar 11, 2013

Comparison + Following the Narrow Path

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Comparison isn’t just the thief of JOY, it’s the thief of EVERYTHING. If you are comparing your business, work, kids, marriage, finances, spiritual maturity, smarts, ___[insert whatever it is for you]___ to any other human being on this earth, you will continue to chase your tail and you will MISS YOUR LIFE. I am typing that in all caps, because I was so there. I chased “big” and “more more more” and “the best” and more followers and — you get the picture — for way too long. Until all of those things I had worked so hard to build by comparing myself to others started to crumble. Anyone feeling that way right now?

Seeing people flooding to Vegas for WPPI brings back crystal clear memories of where I was five years ago. When I first went to WPPI in 2009, I was lost. I remember doing whatever I could just to ‘fit in’. I bought new clothes, I stayed up till 4am, I wore my heart into the ground chasing what didn’t matter. Don’t get me wrong, WPPI is a great thing. It’s not WPPI’s fault that I felt lost. It’s not ANYONE or ANYTHING else’s responsibility but YOURS to follow that narrow path. The path that not a whole lot of people follow. The path that leads to lasting JOY. Open the ears of your heart to what matters. Just because everyone is going in one direction, doesn’t mean you should, too. Everyone could be wrong. Follow the narrow path and do YOU.

lara casey quote

“Doing YOU” means owning your core, your art, your flaws and your greatness. Just thinking about “owning your greatness” feels a little weird, right? More people are truly afraid of success than they are of failure. Why? Because success means you will be called to step out from the masses and be a leader. It means you will be authentically YOU. It means saying YES to what matters and NO to what’s holding you back. It means stepping outside of your safe comfort zone and stepping into the potential that you know you have. For me, taking that risk every single day is worth it a billion times over. I am a different person than I was back in 2009 at WPPI with a different life and a clearer heart. I say that with conviction because just about everything in my life has changed except my email address. God is good.

This week, I’ll be joining some of my dearest friends in leading the Making Things Happen Conference for 100 people from all over the world. I couldn’t be more grateful for an opportunity to hopefully instill in each attendee this simple truth: make what matters happen. Forget the rest.

I could go on, but Jesus says it way better than me… Matthew 7:13-27, NIV84

The Narrow and Wide Gates

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Friends, build your house on a firm foundation. Stop comparing and start leading. Do YOU.

36 Comments

  1. Rhiannon on March 11, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    Heck YES! I absolutely love this, Lara! Off to own my greatness today too. My little narrow path over here just got a little bit brighter xoxo

  2. Amanda knight on March 11, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    Wow, this post could not have arrived at a more perfect time. On the day I leave NYC after visiting for the first time I needed to read this. Listening to my friends apply and start working for huge companies and interviewing for internships in NYC and event talking with a friend who works for the Wall Street Journal. I started to question this small town girl’s decision on my job and started thinking about where I needed to apply to start reaching bigger and better heights. My heart needed this because I felt lost all of a sudden experiencing all this at once and being told by numerous that I was meant for bigger and better things and I needed to apply for jobs and big cities and eventually it wears you down. And discourages you. So thanks lara again, your a godsend.

  3. Nikki on March 11, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    I so needed this today. This is great reminder every so often because it always seems to creep back up. Way to keep it real and stay focused on what matters!

  4. Kelly on March 11, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    In our social media world, it is SO easy and seems almost mandatory to compare yourself to others. Everyone is posting “look what I did today, isn’t it cool?” Even though I am exactly where I want to be, I’ll catch myself comparing my life to others’ and thinking “wait, is that was people think is successful?” It’s toxic! Thank you for this healthy reminder that happiness, success and tranquility are not one-size-fits-all!

  5. Mandy on March 11, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    Amazing post and much needed in my life at the moment. I just read the same verse (Matthew 7:13) this morning during my quiet time. I’ve been fearful to bring God into my business because it may not please the masses but I’m starting to leave that fear behind and follow my inner God driven compass and seeing successful entrepreneurs like yourself makes it that much easier! Thank you SO much!

    xoxo
    Mandy aka Waiting On Martha
    http://www.waitingonmartha.com
    http://www.shopwaitingonmartha.com

  6. Monica T Smith on March 11, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Lara;
    Thanks for this confirmation! I had such a revelation this weekend as to how important it is for me to let go and let God have the freedom to do what He needs to do in and through me. Just because God has given us a vision of what we are to do/be for Him, doesn’t mean that we have to run out and do what we think it takes to get there. Most of the time it really is learning to hear Him within our souls/hearts and heeding the quiet, but insistent call to do or not do. It is so important for us to wait on Him for directions.

    Also, everyone’s path is different, so what may work for someone may not work for me or you. It is okay. (There is freedom in that truth.) We were made unique for His purposes.

    We must celebrate being unique and the reality that God has a plan for EVERYONE!

    Be blessed,
    Monica

  7. Stacy on March 11, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Oh Lara I needed to hear this right now! I have so many idea’s of things I want to do with my business but I find myself thinking about what others are doing. Then the fear stops me from making progress on my dreams. I want to do things different in my industry and I know I have an awesome service. I just need to stay on my narrow path!

    Thanks Lara!

  8. Alexi on March 11, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    Thank you for this wonderful reminder Lara! As I’m getting my business started it’s too easy to look to others & where they may had be at during this point of their journey and compare myself. This is just what I needed to hear!

  9. Lindsay Ann on March 11, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    Lara, I just love your honesty and frankness. And it is even more obvious that God wants me at MTH 2013 and He opened that door! Just this Sunday, my church finished up a 10 week study on Philippians and do you know how our pastor summed it all up? Contentment. And the fact that comparison will only lead to jealousy, envy, discontent, etc. He said almost the same exact words as you have here. And then, in my goal setting homework for MTH, I wrote down as saying yes to “embracing who God has and is making ME.” and “embracing who God has and is making every person around me.” He is leading me on this path and He is using you to affirm His voice in my life. How cool is that!? I just love seeing Him work through His body of believers. I can’t wait for Wednesday! I feel like my heart does a little jig every time I think about it.

  10. Tabitha on March 11, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    Lara,
    Such beautiful and encouraging words that I needed today! Bless you wonderful lady!

  11. Melissa on March 11, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Great post! Thanks for the reminder.

  12. Kate Robinson on March 12, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    Such an important post! Thank you Lara for your wisdom. xx

  13. Alana on March 13, 2013 at 1:15 am

    Such a wonderful, beautiful and powerful post! A much needed read on good days and on bad!

  14. Anna Rosendall on March 13, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    Lara, thanks a million for this post.. It came at exactly the right time for me as I’ve been struggling with feeling like I’m a failure compared to everyone I went to school with who now work fantastic jobs and seem to have their lives figured out. I’ll be honest! The comparison game is absolutely killing me and makes me so miserable! It’s not a daily thing, though, and for that, I’m extremely thankful. Keep up the great inspiring work God is having you do because you impact so many lives and we really appreciate all your work!

  15. Casey Chappell on March 14, 2013 at 5:30 am

    I loved reading every. single. word. of this blog post!! Love you friend! Thanks for being true to your core. It truly blesses mine.

  16. Lea Hart on March 14, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    Wow! Thanks, this is so encouraging! And Jesus always says it better 🙂

  17. Nicola Styles on March 18, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    Amazing, Amazing. I stop comparing myself to others a while back. Thanks to my Faith. Great post.

  18. Yasmin Sarai on March 18, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Thank you for this post Lara… an excellent reminder! Also, the bible passages you shared has the verses that God used to transform my heart 5 years ago.

  19. The Perfect Palette on March 19, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    beautiful words. very inspiring.

  20. Tiffany Farley on March 19, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    I absolutely SO needed this today. Thank you.

  21. Kristin :: Teal White Garden on March 19, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Absolutely LOVE this!! Thank you for so many inspirational posts – it means so much to read yours and all the amazing women’s comments on each blog, insta & facebook post. You are an inspiration to me as I move through working towards what matters most for my fiance & I. Many of those around us want us to do what they think is best and what’s comfortable for them – yet, we desire more. And, more being different – more time together, more freedom, more choices….

  22. Cyn on March 19, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    Yes ma’am! Such a timely post for me as a close friend and I were just chatting over this….such a great reminder. I’m always the happiest being true to myself and living a life by acting kind, gracious and in a way that I’ll know I’ll be proud of when I’m old and gray 🙂

  23. Erin on March 20, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    i am so incredibly grateful for this post. i prayed this morning for a glimmer of hope, discernment, SOMETHING of encouragement to keep me focus and moving in the right direction and this post is definitely a gift from God. thank you for being YOU.

  24. Lindsay {Everistta} on March 20, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    Thanks so much Lara! I needed that today. With starting a small business, I often find myself wanting to jump straight into the big pond when it’s not always necessary. Juggling new motherhood, trying to grow a business and still working full time, this was great. Thank you!

  25. Annie {little&ever} on March 22, 2013 at 3:52 am

    This is a random post to comment on, but I have to comment. I have just finished reading your entire “my story” pages. It has had your desired effect… it is making me think a whole lot about my own life too. For the first time, I understand your “feel the fear but do it anyway” comment. I had no idea about your previous relationship, or how many trademark rejection letters you had to wade through. So many unknowns. I am working on myself – and I am getting better – but I still get so paralysed by perfection. Not that my life is perfect, but that I can’t possibly do anything that isn’t yet “perfect”. I forget that we are all on a journey. We all have beginnings, middles, and ends. I worry so much about the “end” that I don’t even get to the “beginning” bit. Your truth is so very inspiring, and I am beyond grateful that you have felt that fear, and shared it anyway. Your encouragement always speaks volumes. Please know that you are a big help to this gal… all the way on the other side of the world. Annie x

  26. Bonnie on March 27, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    “Everything in my life has changed except my email address. God is good.”

    Amen, Lara! Thank goodness that’s true for me, too. – B

  27. Emma on April 12, 2013 at 10:01 am

    This couldn’t have had more perfect timing! It’s definitely not easy and I still struggle going back to my old ways but the hard road is worth it!

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