Ten People You Should Thank Today

There are so many people that have encouraged you and inspired you to pursue your purpose. Sometimes, though, it is easy to think they know how grateful you are without ever telling them, when really they need some encouragement too. While this list is not exhaustive, it definitely is a start.

1. Your Parents

This one seems obvious, but when was the last time you stopped to say "Thank you so much for all you have done for me, all the times you have put up with my attitude, and providing me with all the opportunities that you have!" 

2. Your Siblings

Since we are already talking about close family, we can't forget the one who has stuck by your side the longest. They helped you pick out outfits, came to your games, gave the best advice and pushed you to be the best they knew you could be -even if it just felt like they were pushing your nerves.

3. Your Hairdresser 

These gems help you look your best, feel spectacular and always lend a listening ear while you sort through life. Sometimes they become as close to you as a best friend and never fail to make you feel great!

4. Your Favorite Store Clerk

Sometimes we have a person who always goes the extra mile for us when we shop with them. Whether it be at a clothing store, a car dealership, nail salon , or some other store, you can probably think of someone off the top of your head who serves you with a smile and a big heart!

5. Grandparents/ Distant Family

Let's face it, no one can ever say they are your biggest fan because that spot is obviously taken by that one family member who is at everything you do and has been since you were in the womb. They are full of wisdom and lots of love. While it may be embarrassing sometimes, you secretly love every minute!

6. Your Favorite Teacher

You know, that one teacher who taught you more than just algebra. This teacher went above and beyond to coach you through life. They shared valuable life lessons and gave you the best gift anyone could- knowledge.

7. Your Coach/ Instructor/ Trainer 

This special man or woman has pushed you to do your best and sees your potential. They aren't going let you get lazy and throw it all away. They teach you about perseverance and other valuable lessons you will use for the rest of your life. Even though you may not want to run any more laps or do another squat, you know it will all be worth it in the end.

8. Your Doctor/ Nurse

My sister was sick and in the hospital a lot and while we were there, there were a few special people who always came to check on her and make sure everything was ok. They became more than nurses and doctors, they felt like extended family. They help people physically get well and emotionally handle the things life throws at them. 

9. Your Boss

Your boss has taught you what you need to know and has given you the opportunity to have a job. Even if you might not get along with your boss, they are the reason you bring home a paycheck every month and have helped teach you the lesson of the value of hard work. Now that is something to be grateful for.

10. Your Best Friend

Your best friend is always there for you, they help you become a better person and aren't afraid to tell you what you need to hear. They encourage you and help you do your best. You know you can count on them and that they will love whether you fail or succeed. Without them, how many times would you have chickened out or missed big opportunities because you need their advice and encouragement.

This list could have gone to 100, but you know who those people are. So take a minute today to stop and thank the people who have helped you make it to where you are today. Who knows, maybe they will thank you some day for the encouragement you have given them! 

Calling is not Competition

  As Steven Furtick says, "We live in a snapchat society where we try to make our life look awesome in ten seconds." Competition is ripping through the country at such a fast pace we barely even notice that our callings are being blown away with the wind.

 We constantly check to see if our pictures look as good as everyone else's, if our body is as in shape as the celebrity beauty icon, if we have as many friends as people we know, if our car is cooler than our best friend's, if..... The list goes on. If we we find our worth in constantly weighing ourselves against other people's perceived "greatness" we kill our own contentment. 

The only result of comparison is feelings of worthlessness, incompleteness, and insecurity. You will never measure up to someone else. Let me say that again in case some of you missed it. You will never measure up to someone else's life if you compare your calling to theirs. Isn't that relieving? That may seem paradoxical, but the fact that we will never measure up to someone else's life is because we were never designed to. 

Callings are unique to the person they were created for, so I will probably never be as good at basketball as Lebron James. Does this make me less valuable than him? (besides how much my bak account is currently) No! Absolutely not! He would never be able to fulfill my calling and I won't be able to fill his because we were uniquely created to do what we were called to do. No one will ever be able to do what you were created to do better than you. That is what makes purpose so beautiful. It was custom made just for you. So now you don't have to worry if you aren't just like everyone else, because you were not created to be.

So ask yourself when you start feeling comparison creeping in to steal your contentment, "Who or what am I doing this for?" Are you doing this to impress the people who don't like you? Newsflash! They aren't going to like you anyway, and if doing this will change that, then you will have to keep working to keep their affection. Are you doing this to prove to others you are capable? No one can steal your calling, so you don't have to prove capabilty to anyone. Or are you doing this because it is going to bring you closer to fulfilling the calling placed on your life? If you aren't then you are wasting your time. 

All the temporary fame, accolades, or Instagram likes will fade away. What will remain, however, is the impact you made on those around you by doing what only you could do with the confidence of knowing "This is why I'm here." 

Your inherant value comes from being created flawlessly for the completion of the calling on your life. Nothing you will achieve or fail to achieve will ever affect that. If you live each day with purpose, you will find a new joy and confidence not stolen by comparison.