I used to be wary of copycats. Not anymore.

I had someone in my life who, no matter what experience or opinion I shared, would often say, “Oh, I am the same way.” (She wasn’t.). “Oh, we are so alike.” (We weren’t.) I would sometimes say something off-the-wall, just to see if it worked. It always did. She so very much agreed, and had even thought of __________ a long time ago.

Next, I was actually asked what my bra cup size was. Two weeks later, the same person had a breast augmentation. You guessed it.

I just needed for you to have context, when I say that I used to be wary of copycats.

Here is what I have learned: they can impersonate your purpose, they can copycat your calling. They can even parrot your process. It’s done every day, here on this here “internet”. No matter. If you do your process authentically and out loud, they will always be anywhere from a day to a week to a year behind you.

You wear it, then they can buy it. You say it, then they can echo. A lot more people might hear the echo instead of your voice, but who is the echo and who is the voice will never be hard to determine. Who is the original and who is the photocopy will always be as easily identified as checking the dates on social media posts. They may even attempt to plagiarize your story, word for word, but at best they will be a weak paraphrase.

See, what no one can have is your soul.

You can’t have what brings me pain. You can’t have what brings me pleasure. You can’t own where I have failed, and thus you cannot buy success that isn’t yours.

My creative flame is eternal, because Jesus.

I will be carrying out the plans of God for my life all the way into eternity. I am rich in grace, I am always working at something new, I am wealthy enough to be scandalously generous of spirit, I have blessing and hope and purpose to spare.

I no longer am wary of copycats. I am glad to help anyone whose fire has dwindled so starkly that she feels the need to troll my digital footprint for a plan. She can hold her candle to my flame anytime she wants.

No scarcity here. Not anymore.