The Haves and the Have-Nots: A Mirror to Myself

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I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately. The kind of reflection that doesn’t happen in the mirror, but in the quiet moments--when the noise dies down and all that’s left is your own voice echoing back at you.

It’s funny how life often feels like a balancing act between what we have and what we’re missing. The haves and the have-nots. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time focusing on the latter.

I don’t have it all figured out.

I don’t have a million in the bank.

I don’t have a perfectly curated life or endless confidence or a blueprint to success.

And sometimes, that “don’t” feels like it shouts louder than everything else.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize; I’ve also got a lot to be grateful for.

I have resilience. That quiet strength that whispers, “Get up,” even after life knocks me down for the tenth time.

I have creativity. The ability to see things differently, to imagine more even when reality feels limiting.

I have people; maybe not many, but the kind that matter. The kind who show up, check in, and remind me who I am when I forget.

I have growth. I’m not the same person I was a year ago, and honestly? I’m proud of that.

We live in a world that celebrates the visible “haves”; the car, the job title, the house, the social media followers. But so often, the most meaningful “haves” are the ones you can’t post about. Peace of mind. Healing. A clearer sense of self. Forgiveness. Faith.

And yes, I still want more. Ambition is part of who I am. I want success, I want to make my mark, I want to build something that outlives me. But I’m learning to want those things without despising the season I’m in now. Because this in-between? This messy, confusing, beautifully human space? It’s part of the journey too.

So if you’re like me, juggling your haves and have-nots, just know you’re not alone. You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re living. You’re growing. You’re becoming.

And maybe, just maybe, you have more than you think.