#32 Richella Parham [Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison]

Do you compare yourself to other people? Do you add up all the best features your friends and acquaintances and try to measure up? Without realizing it, we can fall into a pattern of continual comparison that becomes exhausting. But it doesn't have to be that way! Richella Parham joins me today to boldly share her story about the comparison trap she found herself in. Richella and I talk about when she first realized this was a problem in her life. She tells us how she would see the best attributes of others, measure herself against them and then berate herself when she didn't measure up. She talks about going in search of help but not finding it, so she began to do research herself, ultimately writing the book, Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison (nominated for IVP Readers' Choice Awards). Richella shares that when we constantly compare ourselves to others our vision becomes distorted.  She says, "Because I couldn't see myself clearly and was unable to see myself as lovable and valuable, I doubted that anyone really loved and valued me." But that, of course, isn't true. We are beloved daughters of God. Richella goes on to tell us how she found freedom from constant comparison and how you can too. Richella has blogged for over a decade at ImpartingGrace.com. She serves as a member of the Ministry Team and as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Renovaré, a Christian spiritual formation ministry. She also serves as Worship Coordinator for The Gathering Church of Chapel Hill/Durham, North Carolina, and is a member of Redbud Writers Guild. The mother of three young adult sons, Richella lives in Durham with her husband, Jack.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Creating the Mythical Woman Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison Imparting Grace Blog   RICHELLA'S FAVORITE 5 Burt's Bees Lip Balm Quilted Vests HGTV's Home Town Sacred Ordinary Days Planner Magnesium Supplement   CONNECT WITH RICHELLA Instagram | Facebook | Website   CONNECT WITH GIRLS TALKING LIFE Show Notes for this Episode | Instagram | Facebook