Photo via Pinterest

Hi, Friends! Despite the chaos that is currently my life (#MovingPains), I felt I needed to take pause and write what has been weighing on me. I've recently learned a very valuable lesson, and I wanted to speak on it. Writing definitely helps me cope, so I hope this topic impacts you in some way as well. So, what is this lesson learned? The importance of picking and choosing your battles. 

The Battle

If you watch my Insta-stories, you might have seen my recent 'rant' about an ethical clothing company that is currently using my photo for a Facebook advertisement without my permission and without crediting me. P.S. Thank you to all who wrote me with your encouragement and support - seriously overwhelmed with how many of you cared, and I truly felt I had an army behind me on this.

So, long story short, I emailed this brand (very kindly, might I add) to 1. please credit me, 2. purchase the rights of my photo, or 3. take it down. Which is a very normal request, by the way. Their response was absolutely horrendous, and just downright hurtful. It took EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING not to put them on blast and take them to court. I had everything I needed to win the case, report them to the BBB, and keep others from buying their product.

The Choice

I almost took that route. I had the email drafted. My lawyer looked over it. I was ready to hit send.

But, then something happened.

I received a notification that my yoga video for MindBodyGreen went live, and I was instantly filled up with so much joy and happiness. And please know I am not saying this to brag or toot my own horn. In all of the excitement, I forgot about the anger I was holding onto from the situation-at-large.

All of the good in my life became so evident in that moment, and anytime I had to revert back to ugly thinking, it made me cringe inside. I knew if I decided to pursue legal action, the problem would take longer to go away, and perhaps grow into something very messy. With everything going on, I downright do not have the energy to fight this. Yes, it makes me crazy that they are getting away with this, and they take no responsibility for their actions. But, I realize there's always going to be those people, and we can't take them all to court. I'll let karma do its thing.

Photo via Pinterest

The Takeaway

If I've learned anything from this blogging business, it's to respect your work and the work of others. Always give credit where credit is due. No matter what, people need to appreciate the hard work that goes into the craft and know that just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's up for grabs. The same goes for people who copy others on content, writing, photography, etc. It's just really lame, and eventually will keep them from accessing their own creativity if they're constantly comparing or taking from others. Golden Rule: If you like what someone is doing/ if you're inspired by it, make it known and credit them. It's the right thing to do.

Whether you're a blogger, a creator, an artist, or an entrepreneur of any kind, KNOW YOUR WORTH. Stand up for yourself, but also know when it's just not worth your time. It's okay to walk away if it means keeping your sanity. At the end of the day, it is up to us how we choose to handle the situations life throws at us. We can save our energy for the battles actually worth fighting for.