I’ve never been a competitive person in regards to my gifts. In fact, sharing my experience as a creative artist blesses me in a way this hard to explain. Just as I have been given my gifts, I know they could be taken away.
‘He giveth and He can taketh away’.
Everything in life is temporary. Nothing lasts forever. We needn’t hold so tightly to the things of the world, they will only disappoint us. Am I depressing you? Sorry friend, it’s just they way my mind works. I truly don’t believe my gifts are for me, or because of me. They are ‘gifts’.
I remember sharing this with a friend, that all my talents did not come from me and it really bothered her. She quickly exclaimed,
‘no that’s yours, own it! You are amazing, you’ve earned your success’, on and on.
I’m sure in typical people pleasing fashion I agreed with her, but it’s never sat well with me.
My understanding of gifts is that they aren’t mine, but I am blessed with them.
It’s not popular in the world’s view because it removes all control from the person. This says, you never had control to begin with so stop trying to get it. It never was your talent to start, so be free with it and share it with many to bless them! Now this doesn’t mean not charging, you still need to pay the bills and provide for your household.
I prefer to live in a state of constant surrender, allowing God to use me as He sees best. I find it takes all the pressure off, yokes me with my Creator, and guarantees my ‘success’.
I’ve lived this way for so many years it’s second nature to me. I don’t need what the world says I should need.
I know that my paths are being constantly corrected for me and that I cannot fail at life. This mindset removes any need for competition because I do not think I am in control, so I have nothing to grasp so tightly too (except my Saviour).
My Two Reasons I believe in Community above Competition:
I think we are each created Unique and with a Purpose
Your purpose cannot take mine away from me, nor can I take yours from you.
If I am meant to achieve any ’success’ then I will.
I work hard and encourage others to do the same.I am confident in my gifting
I love what I do, I work hard at my art, and I’m pretty darn good at it!
I don’t feel threatened by others who are living out their gifts too.
I certainly don’t want to stall them, I’d rather watch them rise, and I love to help in any way I can.
I think a lot of people want to have the community over competition mindset but struggle when it comes to living it out. It’s easy when you’re at the start of your career, because it’s all taking and no giving. Once you achieve some success, as you see it, it becomes harder to share because you have so much more to lose.
This is the start of true community over competition.
Ask yourself these following questions, please do not be hard on yourself but simply listen without judgment.
Am I willing to share my best advice to my direct competition?
Have I ever referred a client to another colleague with no expectation of this kindness being returned?
Do I feel threatened or jealous when a friend uses another vendor in my industry rather than me?
These questions can give you come insight on whether you are coming from a place of fear or abundance.
This is a big part of ‘why @thewellco and why @innerillume’, two vessels to allow for abundance of sharing. Not only from me, but from amazing women who’ve also walked their journey and desire to share it with others. If you’d like to continue these conversations, consider becoming a member of The Well Co.
Carry on friends, keep creating and being beautiful, and I’ll keep cheering you on!
If you are interested in talking to me more and realizing a greater freedom of mind and increasing your community I’d love to be a part of that with you. I do offer one on one Consultation through The Well Collaborative on this very subject. Send me an email to inquire further or book a 15 consult call with me.
xo
Tammy