Compared to..?
I’ll bet you know someone(s) who
is brighter than you,
is cuter than you, or
is more creative than you.
Then there are the folks who are on the other end of the scale who
have less money,
have more health issues, or
have more dysfunctional family members.
So what?
What is the comparison for?
Do we really need to be the most or the best at anything?
Watching the Mariners’ game today, I know that perhaps it’s the goal to have the highest-on-base percentage, but it’s probably smarter to focus on the entire team winning the game!
Do we need to compare ourselves to anyone else?
Just because we see folks that are more creative, more coordinated, more attractive-does it matter?
Just because something can be noticed or compared or fretted over, doesn’t mean it’s important or even relevant.
I think it’s better for each of us to decide
- what’s important to each of us,
- what needs to change, and
- what’s worth accomplishing.
And then, ignore all comparisons that don’t really matter!
The most important comparison, in fact, is comparing our lives, our talents, our attributes to what we are capable of.
There are things that matter to us, that we want to be awesome at.
- Do we want to be more loving?
- Do we want to be more peaceful?
- Do we want to be more financially responsible?
- Do we want to have more fun in life?
Can we be better than we were? Sure, we can compare where we are to where we’ve been and to where we want to be. We should be comparing the things that matter to the journey we are on. The rest is noise.
5 Comments
I think that’s the reason I look back. It’s how I see my progress. Then I remind myself that others aren’t necessarily on the same track at the same time. Kinda like the truck I passed yesterday. For a few minutes I was steadily gaining on him. Then I pulled off the road for a minute or so to find something. He passed me right away and then I was following him again!
Meg, Sometimes it surprises us that others aren’t on the same track. It only makes sense to see how far WE have come on OUR track.
It’s better to follow a big truck than have it follow you. Less dangerous. But then I’m just a pokey butt on the road. Rather than compare I like to focus on the fact that there is only one exactly like me in the whole universe, a truly unique creation. And that goes for all people. So whatever I choose to do or wherever life leads me, I’m the only one that can do it. Pretty good plan, if you ask me!!
Mary Kay, love your “plan” and your reminder that each of us IS unique and necessary to our universe.
P.S. Have you moved yet?
Pat: The movers come today. My daughter & I have been going crazy packing, etc. getting ready. She is a packing fool. I give her one stack of stuff to pack then go to do something else. Five minutes later she says okay, what else. We are both exhausted but it should be downhill from here. At least no deadlines to meet so I can take my time getting unpacked and settled. Just as long as my bed is set up so I can take lots of naps. Thanks for asking!