Being a published author brings with it many exciting new experiences, but also some unexpected challenges. The personal and professional aspects of any creative endeavor are inextricably blended together and it can be hard, sometimes practically impossible, to disentangle them. When my debut children’s book was published, I discovered that I began to crave the recognition, affirmation, and praise that came along with it.
Of course, being recognized and praised for one’s work is not a bad thing in and of itself. But the pleasure that comes with this affirmation can very quickly transform into an idol. Maybe you, like me, are a creative person of some kind: a writer, artist, or musician. Or perhaps you work in a competitive industry or in a demanding office environment. No matter what kind of work we might do, the idol of recognition can become a looming presence in our lives. Luckily, there are ways to topple this idol.
RELATED: 7 Simple Ways to Find Humility
Stay grounded in prayer.
When our work begins to gain recognition and acclaim from our peers, we can easily slip into sinful, self-centered thought patterns like vanity and pride. But prayer, by its very nature, can break us out of this loop of selfishness. Prayer keeps us grounded in humility by reminding us who we really are in relation to God. In the grand scheme of things we’re just finite creatures, not our own little gods. (Thank goodness!) Prayer also cultivates gratitude. By offering thanks to God, we are reminded that everything we have — all of our possessions, talents, and professional successes — are unmerited gifts, and we shouldn’t take any of them for granted.
Get out of your own head.
Personal self-reflection can be helpful, but sometimes we need an outside perspective to really recognize our disordered attachments for the dangerous idols they are. Many Christians have benefited from confiding in a spiritual director who can accompany them along the path of conversion. We can confide in trusted mentors who we can be open with and who will hold us accountable for our actions. A trusted friend, sibling, spouse, teacher, or pastor could also fill this role. Whoever they are, our accountability partners should not be someone who will simply tell us what we want to hear. Rather, they need to be people who will be frank and up front with us, in a firm but charitable manner.
RELATED: What Does It Mean to Be Content? A Reflection on Appreciating What I Have
Cultivate an attitude of service.
Deep prayer and personal growth in relationship to God should lead Christians to seek out concrete forms of service. What does this look like? There are as many forms of service as there are people, because God has given each of us a unique array of talents and strengths. Often, the most concrete forms of service are local — in our own families, neighborhoods, and parish communities. Food pantries, crisis pregnancy centers, and parish libraries always need volunteers. Tutoring a student or mentoring a catechumen seeking baptism are excellent ways to share our knowledge. Service to others is a powerful antidote to self-preoccupation. The opportunities opened up by the spiritual and corporal works of mercy are endless!
Pursue authentic relationships.
Genuine relationships are more valuable than ever in the age of social media. It is easy to get absorbed in refreshing our email inboxes and social media feeds in search of the next glowing comment, share, or five-star review. But when we step back and examine our lives honestly, we discover the truth that spending quality time with the people we love brings us more authentic joy and fulfillment than the idols of worldly success or professional recognition. Simple things like a candid chat with a sibling, a phone call to an elderly relative who lives far away, or meeting up with a close friend at a favorite coffee shop, can remind us that the best things in life truly are authentic, personal relationships.
RELATED: Making Space for Grace: Finding Time for Prayer at Work
Toppling idols is a daily task.
No matter what idols we are trying to drive from our lives, it can be fruitful to make a regular examination of conscience to determine if we’ve been living in a way that is compatible with our calling as disciples of Jesus. But the purpose here is not to beat ourselves up with guilt — it’s to recognize that we are always in constant need of daily renewal and conversion.
Praying daily, confiding in trusted mentors, seeking out opportunities for service, and building authentic relationships have all contributed to my own personal growth, both as a Christian and as a creative writer. Putting our focus on God and neighbor, rather than on ourselves, can help all of us to topple the idols of success, recognition, and self-aggrandizement whenever they rear their heads.
