Comparisions
“Comparison is the thief of joy”
Hello Friends,
I recently heard a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: "Comparison is the thief of joy.”. I began to ponder this quote and realized that it has much truth to it. Focusing on others rather than our being makes it difficult to experience joy within because it blinds us from all the good in our lives. Comparisons leave behind expectations, opinions, and judgments of our being that may not be realistic for our overall well-being. In this highly visual world, it is difficult not to compare and envy what others have; however, remember that these comparisons will leave behind feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Therefore, we cannot allow comparisons to steal our joy, as Theodore Roosevelt said.
The best way to combat comparing yourself to others is to mentally check yourself. When comparing oneself ask yourself, “Is there an area you need to improve on?”. If so, then it’s time to put some energy into determining a plan on how to improve within. Use these comparisons as motivation while working towards improvement. It can be done by using the other person's inspiration to create improvement goals for yourself. If there is no area for you to improve, then remind yourself that your life is enough by writing a gratitude list. Writing this list allows the mind to open to memories of moments, people, or objects we are grateful for.
Another factor of mentally checking yourself is standing up for yourself when you are being harsh to your inner being. Eliminate this negative talk that pops into your mind. Be the one who stands up for yourself against your inner critic because no one else can. Give yourself a pep talk every day that is empowering and gentle. Allow yourself to be considerate and kind to your inner being while combating the inner critic trying to bring you down with its toxicity.
Our minds, body, and spirit need a detox from various situations, people, or otherworldly devices. Take some time away from the things that make you feel less than worthy. Doing this enhances confidence and clarity in your own life. The number one culprit for intensifying the feelings of comparison is social media. It is easy to go online to view everyone’s perceived perfect world; however, we often forget that this is a piece of people’s lives that they allow us to see. If you notice that after going on social media, feelings of anxiety or dissatisfaction pop into your mind, it is time for a detox. Giving your mind a break allows you to focus on yourself rather than others, which is ultimately the most important.
Letting go of comparisons and replacing them with self-care helps provide security and confidence in who you are and what you represent. When there is security and trust in your being, there is no reason to look to others for their approval, leaving you feeling good. My number one key to success is to only compare myself to who I was yesterday. Doing this allows me to lessen the need to look over at others and more time to focus on myself and myself, providing me with fulfillment and joy.
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