Content being me?

"Have you ever noticed how easy it is to compare yourself to others? Even if we know better, we
look at someone else and think he or she has it better. How many times have you thought: If only
I had the right hair or clothes or shape . . . If only I were taller or faster or bolder or funnier . . .
There’s an old story of a king who went to his garden and found everything withered and
dying. He asked the oak tree what was wrong. The oak tree said it was sick of living because it
was not as tall and beautiful as the pine tree. The pine was dropping needles because it couldn’t
grow grapes like the grapevine. And the grapevine let itself shrivel up because it couldn’t stand
straight and tall like the peach tree. Every plant in the garden was discontented and wanted to be
something different, except the violet. There it stood with its happy face turned toward the sun.
The king asked the little flower why it was so happy and content when every other plant in the
garden was so miserable. “Well,” said the flower, “I figured that if you had wanted a big oak tree
or a pine tree or a peach tree in my spot, you would have planted one; but you planted me — a
violet. Since I knew you wanted a violet, I’ve made up my mind to be the best little violet I can
be.”
You were made by the almighty Creator with a purpose in mind. Wishing to be anything other
than who you are does nothing more than steal your time, energy and joy. But when you see
yourself how God does, you realize how great you really are. So you can stop concentrating on
other -people and instead focus on your own blessings. Only then will you find you are ready for
all the plans and adventures God has for you.
Dear Lord, Help me stop comparing myself to other -people and worrying
about the things I think I lack. Thank you for all of the gifts you have given me. Show me how I can
best use them for your glory. Amen."- Unknown from "Streams in the Desert" devotional