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Dear Adelai | 6 Months | : Comparing & Competing


Dear Adelai,
Half a year has passed since you miraculously joined our family Earth-side.  You arrived with the promise of spring, and now autumn is upon us.  How quickly the seasons change; how quickly you have grown. Time flies by so rapidly that it is a shame to spend any of those precious hours worrying about how we measure up to others. I find it easy to wonder if you are reaching your milestones "on time" or if you "keeping up" with the other babies your age, especially with the rampant posts on social media that keep everyone in the know about everyone's lives. I value the use our technology gives us, but I constantly remind myself that you are you and whether or not you are "keeping up" doesn't matter. It doesn't change my value as a mother, nor does it say whether or not I am raising you as I should. 

Adelai, I want you to be true to yourself and to God. Be a woman of integrity, someone people can trust. You are a good baby, and always will be. You may not be patient all the time, or always well-mannered, but you will always be good, at least in my eyes and most definitely in Heavenly Father's eyes. Delight in your individuality, sweet girl!


I loved watching you learn how to sit up independently this past month. As you learn knew things throughout your life, do not be obsessed with comparing and competing, as our culture so obsessively does. Do not worry by thinking you won't get the spot on the team or the boy you want or the grades you deserve if you don't flaunt your talents. Remember, "excellence does not call attention to itself"  (source). So always strive for excellence and you won't have to worry about succeeding. Just do your best, always putting the Lord first, and you will be blessed. You will succeed in life, my dear daughter, especially as you strive to become an extension of the Lord's love to those around you. Bless others in a quiet and unassuming way, and you will be strengthened in your heart and mind, and even if you don't receive accolades in this world for your service, you will in the world to come.

Remember to be true to your heart.  Neal A. Maxwell said it perfectly when he reminded us that "No one else is placed exactly as we are in our opportune human orbits" (source). You were born in 2017 for a reason. I love all of your talents and the potential I see in you. Avoid trying to be like someone else. Your value is independent of any athletic achievement, musical accomplishments, body fat percentage, or any other source of comparison or competition (source). 

 You are my Adelai Rose and I love you forever.

 Love,
Mom



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