Don't hate me when I say...

You've probably heard already, that comparison is a thief!
But do you realize that not only will it steal your joy...
but your motivation and inner drive as well!

I remember riding up an escalator in a Dallas mall a few years back.  As I neared the top, I looked up to see a giant advertisement hanging overhead with this superfit-supermodel posed to flex all her toned and tanned muscles. She wasn't wearing a skimpy bathing suit, but rather more like workout attire. 

And while she was not old, she was also not some young paper thin, willowy teen runway model. This was a woman. A full grown, matured and muscular woman. She was not like bulky or hulky. 
But rather, lean, mean and well... gorgeous. 
And I... was jealous. 
I mean at first. 
Because immediately after admiring her.. I hated her. 

But then my eyes were drawn to read the caption, which said...
Don't hate me. 
Join me. 

It was a promo for some gym in Dallas... where I don't live, so I wasn't sold on a membership. 

But if I could have stopped on the moving escalator, I would have.  Instead I just rode the rest of the way in a trance. 
That was a moment that changed my perspective.
And I was sold on everything that statement represented.

I can't tell you today, why I was at the mall that day,
what I bought,
who I was with,
or anything else about that day...
because I could not get that revelation out of my mind. 

Because I realized then, that If we, as women, could wrap our minds around that one statement, and unify our efforts to encourage each other in healthy lifestyles that include fitness and nutrition, rather than pointing, staring and comparing...
we could eliminate so many problems involved with sexism and self doubt...
that we could conquer the world!

Don't hate me. 
Join me. 

Whether that woman was a REAL person
or a model representing one... did not matter.
She was telling me that she didn't want people to look at her with jealousy. 
That was not why she got fit and in shape. 
That is not why most people do it. 

Is that your motivation... 
to make enemies,
to inspire jealousy,
to end up lonely?

I didn't think so!
And it's not mine, either. 

Most of us want to get fit, 
to be in better shape, 
to lose the excess.

We do it...
in order that we like ourselves more,
that we live longer, healthier lives WITH other people.
Not apart from them... 
certainly, not hated by them. 

It's crazy what happens
when we let the lies of comparison
sneak into our perspective.
We either think of ourselves as less than...
causing self doubt.
Or we think we are better than others...
causing a problem with pride. 

When God actually desires neither. 
He simply wants us to be pleased with the person He designed us to be. 
And to excel at that purpose for His glory. 

So the next time you make a plan to workout...
when you head to the gym,
the route you run,
the yoga class you like, or wherever... 
don't measure yourself against the fit woman that causes you doubt. 
Join her in the effort, in the press, in the endurance...
Because she's not there wanting to be alone and hated.
She's there IN the battle with you,
most likely looking at someone more fit then herself,
​fighting back her own jealous thoughts of them. 

Think about it...
It motivated me,
maybe this can help you as well. 
Don't hate me. 
Join me!