Better Than Yesterday

"The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday." Unknown

In my opinion, this quote contains, in few words, advice and wisdom everyone can use.

First it reminds us to not compare ourselves with others.  Comparing just emphasizes the perceived difference without taking into account the circumstances.  I recently was reminded of how quickly comparing ourselves to others can increase stress or depression, and lower self esteem. No two people are alike in every aspect of their being or circumstances, so comparison is never completely equal and always based on perception.    

Second it reminds us to look at who we were, are and who we might become or be.  What do we see in ourself that gives us joy?  What makes us feel fulfilled and of worth?  What are the traits we already possess we don't want or need to improve on?   What lessons, good or bad, have been important in assisting us in becoming the person we are today?    Is there something we think we could still learn or grow from?  Is there a talent, skill or personality trait we would like to build on or change in some way?  Do we even need to be better today than yesterday?  Everyday does not have to be a forward step.  I don't know about you, but I know I have days where just standing still and enjoying who and where I am at the moment without any change is a perfect day.    

Third it encourages us to keep looking for ways to improve ourselves.  It leaves the choice up to each person as to what we think would or could be better.  It doesn't have to be big.  Maybe it is a simple as smiling a little more today than yesterday. Maybe today we exercise one minute more than yesterday.  Maybe today is the day for a change in the color of lipstick or the cologne worn in order to lift a spirit.  Perhaps today is the day a new chapter in life begins.  There is always a way to move, and the choice, big or little, forward or back, is ours to make. 

I hope each of us can take a moment to see the good in ourselves and decide if we are great as we are or if we want to make an improvement.   Share what you find, either here or with a friend.  

Doing Your Best

"If you are doing your best, you won't have any time to worry about failure." - H. Jackson Brown.

The first thing I note in this quote is that we have to be "doing".   It doesn't say we can just be wishing, hoping, waiting or trying.  It says we must be doing our best. We must be engaged in something. 

Second, it doesn't define what best is.  It says "your best" and the only one that can measure "your best" is you. Every person is unique. Everyone has their own personal measure of when they are best in a particular area. Even individually, best is not the same in all areas of our life.  One definition for best is "that which is the most excellent, outstanding, or desirable". Anytime you find yourself saying "I can do better" take it as a personal clue you are not performing at your best.  Then step up, do more and enjoy the pleasure of feeling you are outstanding.   

Third, if you are doing your best you cannot be experiencing failure.  Best is defined as "that which is the most excellent, outstanding, or desirable."   Failure is defined as "lack of success" or "omission of expected or required action".   Excellence and lack cannot exist at the same time.  Anytime you are doing your best, by your own definition, you are succeeding.  If you are doing your best you are acting excellent, which means you are performing expected or required action.   

Remember, that the word best is often a comparative term.  Be careful to avoid comparing yourself to others.  As I said, no one can define "your best" but you. No two people can be best at the same thing, but two people can be doing their best in the same area and both be considered excellent.  It is okay for two people to be doing their best and not be at the same level of excellence.  One person, such as a concert pianist,  may have had years of practice, opportunities and skill building experience and his personal best is personally defined at a high level of performance.  The second person, a beginning music student,  may be taking the first steps to developing the skill or talent and his best is exactly what he is presently doing with the learning and practice he now has.

Don't be discouraged by people who say you can never be or be at "your best".  Remember that "you best" is also a measure of where you are at one particular moment.  Being best right now does not mean you cannot or should not improve or change.  The definition of better as "more excellently or effectively" offers the hope.  You may be excellent at what you are doing today.  Tomorrow or the next, with time and practice you may become more excellent and your personal best may reach a new lever.  On the other hand, tomorrow may bring challenges and different circumstances. Your benchmark may shift to a lower level, but still be considered excellent. The track star running on a dry field may have a record of two minutes for today, but his best time may be closer to three minutes tomorrow and still be considered excellent or his best because tomorrow the track was muddy and slippery after the rain,

My encouragement to you is to strive to be your best at whatever you are doing or whoever you are at this time   Don't worry if you do not perform or act as someone else you see or hear about.   Decide each day what is your best for that day, and enjoy being or doing the best you can in any moment.  Look at your accomplishments today.  Remember success and failure cannot coexist. 

Enjoy Being Creative

Creativity is individual.  It is not something which can be defined, explained or taught.  Creativity is not something exact, able to be replicated exactly the same way each time from one person to another.   The results of creativity can be shared but creativity itself is a gift that cannot be given away.  Creativity is a part of every person.  It may not be developed in the same way, but it still exists for everyone in some form. 
It is a perception of form that keeps many people from enjoying and using their creativity.  They look at a painting someone has done and decide they could never paint that well, so they never pick up a brush and discover the artist hiding within.  Another hears a song on the radio and decides they could never write or sing like that, so they refrain from sharing the lullaby with a child or humming a tune just because the notes seem to come randomly to mind.   Another reads a best selling novel and decides they could never write something as powerful or moving as this story, so they neglect to share their thoughts in a journal, write a story for their child or share a memory in a letter to a friend.  Someone else goes to a fair, intrigued by the beautiful quilts and afghans on display yet feeling they do not have the time or skill to create something that lovely, so they don't enjoy the pleasure of creating a small gift for themselves, a child or a friend.  


From Karla's Karvings (Facebook)

Creativity comes in all forms, and I encourage you to find yours.  It doesn't have to be the same as what someone else does.  Enjoy their creativity.  Look, touch, feel, hear, smell and taste the results of what others create.  Then enjoy your own form of expression and freedom.
I envy the things that my father and sister create from wood.  They both are artists when it comes to carving.  Yet even though they carve the same things, each of their creations are different, and no two carvings are exactly alike.  As for me, I usually end up cutting my finger when I put a pocket knife near a piece of wood, but there was a time when I crafted a fireplace for a doll house I wanted to create.  Not of the same level as my sister's work, but still something I can be proud of.   On the other hand I enjoy writing and have shared as many stories through the years as they have their carvings, with the same enjoyment of enhancing someone else's life.  
The point is, due what you enjoy or what seems natural for you.  Don't worry if it is the same as, different,  better or worse than something someone else creates.  It is what you created, and that makes it unique and beautiful.  It is, whatever it is, something only you could create.  So find your creativity and share it with someone you care about.