I am not less than. Neither are you. If you are reading this say it out loud. I am NOT less than.
Today I allowed someone to make me feel that I was less than.
Less than adequate.
Less than qualified.
Less than informed.
Less than worthy.
But I am not less than. I am just right. I am me. I am enough.
Today I allowed someone that I had just met make me feel like I was less than. How did I allow to happen? How did I give this person the power to take over and dominate the conversation that I was perfectly capable of having?
I hope I did it with grace.
I hope I did it with style and finesse.
I think I did and I am sure that she is totally unaware that she evoked emotions in me that brought up all kinds of insecurities.
She came across as assertive and confident and composed. Those are qualities that I possess as well but at this particular moment I felt stripped of those qualities as she intervened in my conversation. I am almost 100% positive that she had no idea that I was fully prepared to find the answers that were needed in this conversation. She was an eavesdropper and felt that she could interject her expertise and she did. She did know what she was talking about and I was happy to allow her to share her information but I was also equipped and ready.
It took me awhile to shake it off and even as I write this I realize that those feelings of “less than” pop up in my life far more often than I would like to admit.
I came home and did some soul searching and yes, some Bible searching and came away with these verses from Psalm 139: 13-15.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
That’s me.
Fearfully and wonderfully made.
That is also you, my friend.
There is never a need to feel less than. God made each of us to be the perfect person that we are.
I am enough. I am me.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that is enough.
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18 Comments
Leave a commentDam Right, You are not less than anyone. Ever. Much more than enough. Me too. Thanks for the reminder. ♥~
We all need reminded sometimes. So I reminded myself. 🙂
I know that feeling well! And you expressed it beautifully. Also, you gave Mitchell a book based on that Psalm when he was born. I read it to him daily and it was one of our faves. I pray that I am never the one who makes another feel less than. Love you!
How did you even remember that we gave him that book? I feel honored! But yes—I pray the same thing because that is one of the saddest feelings ever to feel that we are less than. You are a wonderful MORE than person who lives her life with such compassion and love. Thank you!
Sorry for your experience- but out of it came this amazing post that you wrote! I’m wondering if the lady you mention was actually the one having the “less than” moment? Thank you for a phrase I will remember.
I thought the exact same thing, Jena. I came away thinking that that might have been the case and I am positive that she had no intention to make me feel that way. As always I am constantly learning from my life experiences and hopefully it helps to make me a better person. Thanks for stopping by!
And I am thankful that you are who you are– kind, compassionate, caring, empathetic, supportive, encouraging, loving…and so much more. An incredible woman of faith. You have blessed me through our friendship. I love you. And I love your positive attitude and your ability to turn even a trying situation into something good. You rock.
Aw— thanks, Audrey. That made me smile.
I’m sorry that happened – thanks for sharing this inspiration. We love you!
Love you back!!!
Good advice! Thanks as always for your silver lining wisdom!
You are very welcome!
When this happens to me, I remind myself that we never know what is happening in that person’s life at the moment. It sounds like you handled it well and wrote a meaningful post about it. Thanks. You are enough and so are all of us!
You are right about not knowing what someone else is going through. I totally agree with that and do try to recognize that. Thanks, Darlene!
I like to think that I do not allow people to evoke such feelings in me, but I wake up in the middle of the night doubting myself and all I do and I realize that I have internalized the “less thans” and that I have to consciously and vociferously affirm my “more than enough-ness.”
Yes! I totally understand this feeling and doggone it—- we are more than enough! Thanks for stopping by!
Unfortunately, it happens to the best of us. So sorry, for what it’s worth. However, your post has inspired me to remember I’m never “less than”. Thank you.
That was what I hoped to do—- reinforce that none of us are less than! Thanks for stopping by!