So you feel overlooked. You feel like you never get recognized for what you do, or maybe it isn’t even that. Maybe you don’t need recognition. Maybe you just don’t know why others get recognized for certain things. Why do people need praise for being a good person? Shouldn’t we all be good people and do our part in society without needing a pat on the back? No, we don’t need a pat on the back, but we may want one. I have struggled with jealousy, envy, and humility too many times. It’s easy for me to feel as if I am being overlooked or that people do not notice me. But why do I let myself get so down? I was having a conversation with a friend the other day about humility. We were talking about our similar experiences with feeling over shadowed at times. Then, by the grace of God, an analogy came to me. In any organization you are in, there are going to be different roles that need to be filled by different people. It’s like a movie. When people talk about movies, most of the time they refer to what actors/actresses are in them, or who directs them. But if you look at the credits for movies, there is obviously a TON of work and detail that goes into making a movie, but do people stick around and read all the credits and recognize all the names? Probably not (and if you do, then sorry but this does not apply to you and it will not be useful). Movies could not happen if the actors and directors were the only ones that showed up. It just isn’t possible. It’s the same situation with any organization, or event. Things cannot function without people behind the scenes and in the spotlight. Everyone has a different role and just because you are not the one everyone knows by name, or even recognizes, it does not by any means make the work that you do less important.

In conclusion, when you are feeling left out, unappreciated, or invisible, remember that your place in the world has value and we all have jobs to accomplish. Instead of being jealous, be happy for those who are noticed. Smile when they get recognition because they are doing the job they were chosen for. Despite what society may say, not everything is a competition and it is not an insult to yourself to be happy for other people and to build them up. However, it is an insult to yourself when you do things to intentionally get recognized. It degrades who you really are and takes away the true purpose of your part in something. So be happy for others, build each other up, and it will never tear you down.