Once again, Parks & Recreation did not dissapoint

Fall season premieres are among us, and for me that means a sense of normalcy returning to my weekly routine. I like to make sure I know who got voted off the island and what Meredith Grey's insightful voice-overs was about. (If it sounds like I watch too much TV, it's because I do. I make no apologies for the wonderful inventions of DVR and Hulu.) So, I got the chance to enjoy the premiere of one of my all-time favorites Parks & Recreation recently, and this episode had a subtle message that really hit home for me.

To give a brief plot summary, Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) is visiting her boyfriend Ben in Washington, D.C. Leslie's a hardworking, dedicated councilwoman of small-town Pawnee, Indiana, and Ben is working on a big-time congressional campaign. He takes her to a fancy affair where dozens of successful politicians and senators are present. Ben introduces Leslie to all these people, a few of whom she really admires, but she is overwhelmed by all their success and status. And, it certainly doesn't help matters to know that her long-distance boyfriend is constantly around these, as she puts it, "smart and accomplished and pretty women...who are so tall". This feeling isn't necessarily envy or jealousy (which are two different emotions, just fyi), but it's a feeling of insufficiency - like you don't measure up.

I myself felt this tinge of inadequacy when I was at a professional association's meeting earlier this week. My professional and educational development is still at their root beginnings, so these meetings can be very daunting for me! And, even though I was somewhat making progress in my networking endeavors, I couldn't help but to feel a bit unremarkable among the various professional women present. It's easy to feel like you're floundering when you're surrounded by a sea of successful people. Just like Leslie Knope did at that fancy affair.

But, the thing that Leslie and I fail to realize is that merely being able to hold your composure in the presence of professionals is a testament to the fact that you do belong there. Maybe you're not at their level yet, but what better way to get to where you're trying to go than to immerse yourself in the environment? I think we all can take a thing or two from the moral of this 30-minute situational comedy episode: take confidence in the talents and skills you can and do offer, and don't even worry about how you compare to others. It's a lesson that we have all heard in a hundred different ways, but I just wanted to give y'all #101. :-) It's good food for thought!

And, just as a little aside, here - did y'all know that Amy Poehler has this amazing organization called Smart Girls at the Party? She offers some good advice through their YouTube videos and has a website to boot! I encourage anyone and everyone to check it out!