Want to know one of my deepest darkest secrets? 

Buckle up because here it is...

Sometimes I can be a real snob.

• Judging that slow driver? 🚗 Yummy.
• Silently condemning the guy I pass in public with the half beard and stupid hat. Oh hell yes.
• Seeing myself as better than everybody else? My. Bursting. Heart. 😍 
• Being exceptional? Mmmmmmwaaaa! Chef's kiss.👨‍🍳

Sitting in judgement of others can be super fun and it always winds up feeling really hollow.

ONE OF THESE THINGS IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER 

The problem with all that judgement and "being better" than everybody else is that when one gets so lofty 🗻, it's really hard to connect (much less serve) anybody else.  

While we often heap praise using words like "exceptional" and "outstanding," those words can also mean separate, different, leaving out, exclusion. 

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

The other fun part about "being better" than everybody else is that when we constantly measure our own worth by comparing ourselves to others, we fall into a trap of external validation. 

Rather than letting our self worth flow freely from a limitless divine inner knowing, we abdicate it to the world - often to people we don't even know.

SPELL CHECK DOES NOT LIKE THIS 

What's the alternative to being exceptional? Being "acceptional." Spell check does not like this word because I just invented it. Being acceptional means accepting people where and how they are, not where and how we think they "should" be.

Now I want to be really clear: acceptance does not mean that we don't hold others accountable to agreements, or that there's anything wrong with healthy competition that brings out our best. However, it does mean that trophies we win or lose have nothing to do with our value as a person. It does mean that when we make mistakes, it has nothing to do with our self-worth.

HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

One of the reasons I can be really good at judging others is because I'm really good at judging myself. 

I find the more I'm able to accept myself as the blessing that I am, the more I'm able to accept others as the blessings they are. Doing that makes me better in every way. I offer you an invitation to do the same.

If you want to elevate your work and life faster than you can imagine, accept yourself more just the way you are. Lean into the truth that your self-worth is inherent, and the value you bring to the world is infinite. 

You don't need to be exceptional to be amazing; you just are, Eric