"May you never compare your current self to your past self or your ideal future self."

May you never compare your current self to your past self or your ideal future self. May you never compare your past accomplishments or your hope of future accomplishments to the beautiful work that is being accomplished within you, this very moment. Sure, there are healthy ways to learn from the past, and to have hope for the future, but may it never overshadow the room in this present moment, in this current season to peace about what was, and what is to come.

Whenever you find yourself tempted to compare your current self to past or your future self, here are some things to remember:

When it comes to your past self:
The moment you “peaked,” or the season you did really well only represent so much of your life. You might have a degree hanging on the wall, a wedding ring resting on your finger, or an album of beautiful photographs playing in your mind that point to a much happier time in your life, but remember, not even your best moments can tell you everything there is to know about yourself. You may look back on the times, where you had more financial resources, a closer group of friends, or a plan for what the future would look like, but what about the times in you didn’t have as much, but you still had joy? What about the year where things did not go according to plan at all, and it was same year you learned to be strong? You may not have received an award for growing in strength in 2008 or finding unexplainable peace in 2016, but that does not mean they do not matter. So whenever you find yourself looking back, challenge yourself to let your mind find its way to the part of the highlight reel that goes beyond material things and physical accomplishments. There is so much more to you. There is so much more to what got your here than the things you did or did not accomplished, and perhaps the more you are able to look at the full picture of your past, the less you feel the need to compare yourself to who you were before.

More than she was known
for her accomplishments,
she was known
for the way
she loved.

When it comes to your ideal future self:
You might not know her yet, but it’s okay to hope the best for her. And you know what? You can do that without holding her to a long list of ideals. There is nothing wrong with aiming high, and making plans for what is to come, but there is also nothing wrong with having grace for your future self, realizing that even with all the things she has learned and all the ways she has grown, she is still going to be on a journey. She is still going have areas in her life where she will have to trust in the unknown, and find peace in uncertainty. But because of all the ways you are growing right now, she is going to be more prepared for those things than you could ever imagine she would be. Knowing this, there is no need to compare your future self to your current self. Yes, there will be differences, but you are still a living, breathing soul who is still on a journey, no matter what has changed, or what will change in the future.

This is your life,
and as beautiful and terrifying as it may be,
you are still free to come alive,
and you are free to be at peace.