Inadequacies, mistakes, failures and fears regularly find their way into my thoughts. Not measuring up—not being enough—have been reoccurring thoughts for as long as I can remember. They are so familiar they can creep in and linger undetected.

In elementary school I distinctly remember wanting to read, write and draw like Grace Su. She could do all those things {and more} like a boss. I partnered with her for a “Young Authors” contest and it was the only year my entry {which is better understood as my name on Grace’s work-which I helped color} received recognition. {Thank you, Grace, for letting me ride your coattails.}

Junior High and High School ushered in unbelievable {immeasurable} opportunities to examine what I lacked. From best friends, to book smarts, to the right clothing and hairstyle…I was mostly a day late and a dollar {or 20} short.

When I became a mother, a gift I deeply treasure, a new layer of presumed inadequacies developed. Comparing sleep habits, feeding schedules and milestones {with every child in view} was a real issue. I had to fight against comparison because it only left me feeling disappointed and fearful.

As if you are struggling to understand, let me throw one more example out there! At the conclusion of my first year of teaching-I was selected “First Year Teacher of the Year.” I was the ONLY first year teacher on campus! Enter doubt, discouragement, not enough…highlighted, bolded and underscored.

All of these examples have a similar theme running through them—scarcity. In her book Daring Greatly, Brene Brown says, “Scarcity is the ‘never enough’ problem. Scarcity thrives in a culture where everyone is hyper aware of lack.” Brene goes on to say, “The opposite of ‘never enough’ isn’t abundance or ‘more than you could ever imagine.’ The opposite of scarcity is enough.”

Enough.

I’m pulling the plug on the scarcity treadmill. It’s obnoxious and exhausting! I have a friend that often encourages me by saying, “play your note.” It’s easy to get sideways about the notes others get to play and forget to show up myself. I have a note to play {so do you}. The song is better when I add my note by exercising the unique gifts and talents I have been given.

Alex Elle summed it best with this quote…

It points perfectly to the reward of struggling through the loud message of scarcity. It’s high time to walk confidently in my “you”niqueness and play my note.

It’s enough.