Please Impress Yourself

Let's talk about something that's been on my mind for quite a bit, shall we?

Is it just me or does anyone else ever wonder why we're generally so much more concerned with how impressive people perceive our lives to be than we are about actually leading better and more fulfilled lives? I mean, think about it. We’re super eager to take a myriad of pictures for Instagram just before a flight, or in front of those spotless fancy hotel bathroom mirrors (and no, ladies; it's not just you) and exotic condos and vehicles just so Facebook knows what’s on our minds. We’re relentlessly devoted to keeping up appearances on social media – whether it be through our photos and videos or via typed updates (oh yes, we type to impress too!) – just to prove to the world that we've at least got decent access to the finer things of life and are therefore better off than some other people. Do you ever ask yourself why we seem to think these things are necessary?

Now, while I definitely do not think there’s anything wrong at all with testifying of God’s goodness and graciousness for all the world to see (He demands this from us in fact) there’s unarguably something fundamentally problematic about arduously attempting to convince people that we're living “the life”. It really all boils down to motive. I’m pretty sure none of us feel any need to convince anyone that we can breathe or have functional digestive systems, so why would we feel such obligation to prove something that’s supposed to be just as true?

What if we spent all that precious energy we unduly expend on trying to impress a world that, quite frankly, will never be satisfied on consciously committing ourselves to genuine self improvement and development? What if we rather channelled all that effort to understanding how best to apply the principles that promise ultimate reward to our individual lives, and making the connections and building the networks that could take us a rung or two higher up the ladders of success? What if you and I actually worked so hard that we achieved the goals we set for ourselves and didn't feel the need to prove anything to anyone because there was apparently no need to?

One thing is certain, my friend. I’ll never get the answers to any of those questions anytime soon if I don’t realise that the only human being who I need to deliberately impress is myself, and, to be honest, neither will you.

Give it a thought as you unwind this lovely weekend.

Cheers!