What's your story?

It always amazes me to see how much we  often want to be someone else. Shows like TMZ, tabloids on the magazine rack, and even news networks frequently cover the knitty gritty details of famous people because there is always a captive audience.

Why is it that we can have such a low opinion of ourselves thinking if only I was a few inches slimmer, a few thousand dollars richer, or endowed with this talent or that skill then I could be happy?

We have a knack for being dissatisfied with ourselves. So what is my problem with that? My problem is that it just so happens that we have a higher price tag on us than we realize. We were designed to be one of God's most important creations, something even angels want to watch.

God has never once looked at us and thought "If only she could sing better like Whitney Houston or write songs like Taylor Swift...then she would be a beautiful creature". He's never looked at any of us and said, "Just about ten more grand is all. If he would make ten more thousand dollars a year he can drive a nicer vehicle and finally be acceptable to me". Yet we tend to live in that way trying to appease that unquenchable thirst for more.

I believe one simple truth would change us if we believed it. Are you sure you're going to be able to handle this? Here it goes: The majority of things which affect our progression through life are outside of our control. We don't all begin this life on a level playing field. Just think for a second about some of the things which could determine how successful person might be in life:

1. Personality
2. Appearance
3. Family structure
4. Family income
5. Country of birth
6. Natural giftedness/talents

Now I know you want to tell me , "But oh dear Stephen, that's not true because we can change those things". Some maybe. But try to change your personality. I suppose with lots of surgical work, yes, you can change your appearance. Yes, we can rise above our circumstances and our upbringing. But go ahead and change which family you are born into and what country it will be in. Go ahead and pick to be born into that healthy "Leave it to Beaver"-like perfect family instead of your broken dysfunctional one. I think you get the point here.

We can strive to become better at anything but there are always those things given to us by God that make us unique. Our memories, circumstances, and history mixed with our blend of personality, talents, and everything else create a story so unique there is not another one like it.

So my point in all of this is this: God wrote your story for a reason. He placed you where you were and are for a purpose. We aren't all supposed to be movie stars or models or rich. I believe that God expects us to do the very best we can no matter where we began. Many people born with all the potential in the world never do anything and squander their lives away. Some born out of nothing strive and fight their way through life to become something more.

One thing I do know is that if you will strive to grow and change at every opportunity, you will undoubtedly begin to see the unfolding of a beautiful story handwritten by God about you. So what do you have to offer this world? It's waiting for you- the best version of you- to emerge. The world needs your story, your talent, and everything else that makes you you!