If I compare myself to others, I will always fall short — simply because I know my own weaknesses and have lived through my failures. I don’t see yours. You show me only your best. How can I ever expect my weaknesses to compete with your strengths?
In an article at the Empty Easel called Have Confidence in Your Artistic Calling, Denise Ivey Telep writes:
Are you competing with other artists in your mind? Do you look at other work and compare yourself or them as to whether they are as good as you are?
Do you tell yourself you are not a “real” artist because you feel you have a long way to go? Have you let the opinions of others color your belief in your gifting? Have you been criticized and rejected and so you believe you are not “good enough”?
Every obstacle you face will illuminate how much you want and believe in this profession. Many people who face these difficulties go into other fields of work, yet later on in life still can’t let go of their first calling.
If you are an artist, you will be one always—it will come out in your ideas, your environment, and even in the way you arrange the food on your plate!
The key is to compete only with myself. Have I identified my areas of strength and potential? What must I do to improve those areas, and have I made a Think and Do list to get me started and keep me going?
It’s not good enough to want to have done something, unless I am practicing now, and the goal for having done it is well into the future.
It’s not good enough to want to be a writer — unless I write. Or to be a painter, unless I consistently paint. The content isn’t as important as the process, the habit. One must practice the scales before interpreting the music.
Maybe I’m not good enough yet, but so what? I have whatever life I have, to practice. And as I do, I will continue to set and break my own records.
Very often I just doodle… this time using my new liquid pencils, with which I love to play.
September air is crisp here, just enough for a long-sleeved pull-over in the mornings. So come on in and share how you are learning to compete with only yourself to reach your dream-goals, over coffee of course.
Barb 
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Oh Barb, I am so honored that you found my site and it led to great treasure–your site! You are very talented. I will enjoy being part of your blog family and joining you as you share your life and art.
Thank you Beth — I was delighted to find you! I had a peaceful and artistic morning reading yours and others from your blog… I will see you again… soon.
Woo hoo she is back! I am so glad to see you posting on your delightful blog. You share not only beautiful art but you also share stories that make me think and laugh.
Thank you!
Thank you for this post. I had almost given up hope of finding a new post when I found three, and this one was the best of all…
Am quoting you in my blog today – http://hellonetbaby.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-impressions-at-kiddonet-websites.html
Dear Barb,
Lovely article, as usual, full of thought, sensitivity, humility, and truth.
My maternal grandfather, a gentle and wise man, is remembered as having said “If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” The saying may not have been his original thought. Nonetheless, it’s a good and simple one.
I’ve thought of what my grandfather said throughout my life and that’s what I try to do in every area of life.. do it as well as I can at the time, always hoping to do it better with time and practice. Sometimes I just don’t do well at all, but that’s OK, we get second, third… endless chances to try again. Isn’t that wonderful!
As to others, I do sometimes see where they can improve, just as I can… as we all can, and encourage them to do as well as they can. With practice, they… all of us… will improve.
Thanks for being you, friend.
Hugs,
Jinny
What a refreshing article from The Empty Easel by Denise……it gives us permission to be non-competitive in our artistry! I guess it’s something every creative person (or athlete, or salesperson…..gee, just about ANYone!) struggles with…..and if kept in perspective, it can be very positive. It’s a GOOD thing to strive to improve every aspect of our lives…….it’s not such a good thing to compare our worst with someone else’s best. Ah, to be able to look back on our last day on earth and sincerely believe that we did the best with what we were given…..competing with only ourselves to do better than the last thing we did……..and giving thanks to God for helping us attain it! Hmmmm…..wonder if anyone has been able to do that? That’s my goal……but don’t quote me!
Which brings up another question…..what is “better”?
Love you, sis!
Neets