Salud
Be You .
BY ANGELICA GAVALDON
When I was a child , I put posters up on my bedroom walls of the greatest tennis players in the world . I wrote notes next to them with phrases like , “ If she can do it , then I can too .” I admired them . They were my inspiration . I studied each player like a guidebook , hoping they could show me the ropes to their same success . But what I did not do was compare myself to them , and today I continue to avoid comparing myself to anyone else .
We live in a fast-paced , competitive world where we are bombarded by images on social media of lavish wealth , unattainable beauty , and perfection in its many forms . It is important to understand there will always be someone richer , better looking , taller , smarter , skinnier , but there will never be anyone quite like you . Commit to identifying your strengths and attributes . Do not waste mental energy comparing yourself and your life to others . Nothing good comes of it .
If I would have compared my height or strength to anyone else on tour , I never would have had the courage to compete against the best players . Instead , I simply believed I was one of them . Period . I believed that I was one of the best . And because I believed I was one of the best , I achieved the results that got me on the court with the best . My
commitment to believing in myself and focusing on what I could improve enabled me to defeat five of the top 10 players in the world .
My height , or lack thereof , is an example of where I could have gone down the rabbit hole of negativity and comparison . I am 5 ’ 3 ”. In tennis height is important , especially when talking about the serve . I went up against women who were as tall as 6 ’ 3 ”! Not only did I not compare myself to them or anyone taller or ranked higher , but I also did not allow external negative comparisons to alter how I viewed myself .
Instead , I continued to truly believe I was just as good as anyone out there . I stayed in my lane . I focused on me and the areas I could improve . I worked on my strokes and on being my authentic self , striving not to be like anyone else . This practice is what propelled me to achieve greatness beyond anyone ’ s expectations , especially for a player of my height . Most of all , it allowed me to be happy and at peace with who I was .
If we constantly hop on the scale of comparison , we will never have enough or be enough . We will never be happy or comfortable in our own skin . Become aware of the emotional weight that jealousy and envy can place on your mind . It can be incredibly taxing . Change the thoughts , halt the comparisons , and break the negative mental spiral by introducing thoughts of gratitude and focus on valuing who you are and what you already have . This is a good start to a more mentally healthy and fulfilling life .
32 GBSAN . COM | NOVEMBER 2021