Monday 19 June 2017

"Tall Poppy Delusions," by a disgruntled daisy.


So, this isn't my finest moment perhaps, but I need to confess something: I am a text book tall poppy cutter-downer. Shocking isn't it! It gets worse, though; nothing makes me want to reach for my rusty secateurs more than talent show videos. I know! I'm awful! But, I really really dislike them. As in, I literally GOL (groan out loud) and roll my eyes when I see them on my FaceBook feed: "Look at little Johnny! He's only 3 and can already recite the entire works of Shakespeare!" Or the A Capella group whose voices were more than likely hand-crafted by God himself, from heavenly spindles of gold and silver threads that adorn the angels' robes. And they all could have stepped out of Next Top Model. And they have PhDs in quantum physics.  

Okay, perhaps I'm not quite that bad, but I cannot deny sometimes turning a slight shade of green when I see the people with skills and talents that far outweigh my own...I believe it might be called Envy?

Envy. Such a horrible word isn't it. Envy is a noun:

a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.

Envy is also a verb:

desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable thing belonging to (someone else).

The thing with envy that really gets me, is its ability to lay dormant for so long, and then rear its filthy head when I least expect it. Yes, watching Australia's Got Talent might be one such time, but it also strikes much closer to home, perhaps when a friend achieves something awesome. And even more so when it's something awesome that I have desperately wanted. 

The real trouble with envy is that there is absolutely nothing positive about it:

1. It takes our focus away from God.

2. It distracts us from what we are meant to be doing.

3. It undermines our confidence in our God-appointed abilities.

4. It stirs up resentment between people, possibly destroying friendships.

Envy says, "what you have, am, give, or can do, is not good enough."

Ah yes. There it is. The feeling that my writing, or singing, or art, is not as good as others' and I therefore feel dis-counted from participating.

As with most negative emotions/feelings, if we allow it to grow and fester within us, it will eventually kill the thing associated with it; no more writing, no more singing, no more art. It's not easy to stop though. We live in a time where being "the best" is not just celebrated, but the be-all-and-end-all; just look at the number of TV shows that seek to find "the best" singer, talent, chef, etc. No wonder there is so much pressure on us to perform, to out-perform, to shine brighter than anyone else. 

I have always been one who wanted to be "the best," to the point of not participating for fear of not being the best. But I am coming to realise (yes, still working on this!), that "good" is actually enough. Sure, we can commit to learning and growing and getting better, but ultimately, a "good" story, or song, or photograph, is still worthy of being written, sung or taken! Who is it who determines their worth anyway?! The Simon Cowell's of this world?! Perhaps it has become that way, but I say no more!

I love that when we give our work to God, He takes away the innate need within us to compete with others, and qualifies us for the job. Remember that verse in Colossians 3:23-24:


Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

You might be feeling like a daisy in a field of tall poppies right now. That's fantastic! Keep on being the beautiful, unique, incredible daisy that God created you to be; you may not be noticed by the masses, but that is okay! You are still contributing to the overall beauty of the field.

Remember that God is the one who gifted you your talents, and He is the one who will reward you for your faithfulness in using them...I just hope there's a shower of glitter confetti when I get my reward in heaven. Glitter confetti is awesome. 

Blessings,

Helen...the slightly less disgruntled daisy πŸ˜‡




20 comments:

  1. Thanks for an interesting post Helen. Love the variety of God's creation. And love it that He has called us each to a different task. I think the opposite of what you have written is to forget the innate worth of others and fail to see the good in them when they are different to us or their talents and passions are in contrast to ours. May you continue to shine as a Daisy and here's cheering you and expecting the glitter confetti to fall on you when you reach heaven's doors and hear the Father's 'Well done'! Every warm wish and blessing to you Helen.

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    1. Thanks Anusha. What a beautiful point you raise, about seeing the worth in others! Yes! May there be glitter confetti for us all! Blessings to you, too, Anusha. x

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  2. Absolutely loved this, Helen. Such honest and strong writing and I can easily relate to it all--sadly--so well done to you! I think it is a lifelong journey to rest in who we are and to explore and share the unique gifts God has given us to the full, so keep going!

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    1. Hi Jo-Anne, we shall be daisies together, encouraging one another to never forget what makes us unique, and that we are as special as every other daisy and tall poppy - equally so! x

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  3. Great post, Helen. Love the message. We all have a unique combination of gifts and abilities, all valued and loved by God. Hope you keep on writing and being the beautiful flower God designed you to be 😊🌼🌼🌼

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    1. Thanks Jeanette, thank you for your encouragement. Yes, valued and loved, how much we need to remember that, and also share it with others, too! x

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  4. Enjoyed your post, Helen. 'Good' is great! And so often 'the best' is a matter of personal taste anyway, I think.

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    1. Thanks Jeanette, that is so true! Oh so true, especially in the creative arenas! :-D x

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  5. Thanks Helen....bloom where you are planted, has long been a favourite saying of mine. Yet, I know the ugly little head of envy does pop up now and again.
    Thank you for the reminder "you are contributing to the overall beauty of the field".
    ...I'm with you, bring on the glitter confetti!

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    1. Di, that is such a lovely quote! And yes, there can never be too much glitter confetti!He he! x

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  6. Awesome post, Helen. I know well the 'there's no way I can write as well as xxxyyy so I may as well not bother' feeling. That poison comes out of our own insecurities and the accuser likes to play with those bigtime. The only antidote is to fbe filled with God's love and know our identity in him. Daisy is easier to say than gladioli anyway :D.

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    1. Thanks Sue. Oh yes, our insecurities have a lot to answer for! I am amazed at how much God has done in my life, with my very small offering, it's a wonderful ride full of twists and turns I never expected! Ha ha, and yes, you're so right about daisy vs gladioli! x

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  7. I so relate to your post, Helen, the 'not good enough' is a cutting phrase many wince from. And the daisy image. Thank you!

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    1. Hi Ruth, I truly hope you are encouraged today to be the person God has called you to be...and is developing you to be! x

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  8. Thanks for sharing so honestly Helen. I suspect we all suffer from envy at different times - I know I certainly have! Thank God He is patient with us :)

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    1. You're welcome Carolyn. Oh God's patience is just amazing! I'm often muttering, "Sorry God, bless that person!" Especially when it comes to this topic. I truly hope you were encouraged today. x

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  9. Significant that SO many of us identify with this! Such thoughts seem to be part & parcel of being creative. And part & parcel, too, of not really believing who we are in Christ Jesus. Been a christian for over 50 years & only now realising how important this is. HE is my hope of glory. The job he gave me to do, he also gave me the strength & talent to fulfill & he is pleased with me simply for being faithful in that. Wished I'd understood and lived in the good of that, a long time ago.

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    1. It really is, isn't it Rhonda. The creative mind can be a very self-centred one at times, even when unintentional. I think we can crave approval, that pat on the back and recognition for what we've done...perhaps even justification that we are on the right road? I really liked Anusha's comment too, about recognising others' talents; perhaps we could take a moment out of our day and encourage someone else this week, and remind them of just how precious their talents and gifts are? It makes such a difference. Thanks for sharing, Rhonda...you are a beautiful encouragement to so many. xx

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  10. A great article Helen - I always get encouraged by your writing. I agree that we all contribute to the "overall beauty of the field". As for the daisies, well, they have always been my favourite flowers - simple, plain but happy looking with their petals wide open as if to say, "Here I am, what you see is what you get - just take me as I am" Thank you once again for reminding me to just be who God created me to be.

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  11. Hi, thanks for taking the time to comment. Daisies are just beautiful aren't they; I like that description, WYSISYG! I truly do pray that you are encouraged every time you see daisies, to know that you are such a blessing to those who see you, and truly know you. xx

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