I find myself quoting this saying often because it is usually true. Being in the blogging world for instance, you can’t help but find extremely successful bloggers. People who are considered the superstars. Bloggers living like rock stars and making serious bank. There are fashion bloggers who are making a killing on Instagram for instance. These superstar influencers are flown all over the world for campaigns amounting to nothing more than taking a few pictures, posting it on their feed in the hopes of reaching their huge audience. I suspect that the companies just assume that reaching said audience automatically translates to them actually purchasing the product, which is often untrue. Comparing yourself to these bloggers can make you unhappy, depressed, make you feel like a failure to the point of giving up. In this case, comparison is the thief of joy. You don’t know the back story of these bloggers and therefore should not compare yourself to them. For instance, they might have been blogging for eons of years, way before blogging became popular, have paid their dues and paved the way for newer bloggers like you to become more accepted. You can’t expect to waltz in and be on the same level. Use them for inspiration instead. Aspire to reach their levels and stop hating.
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On the other hand, I have found comparison to lead to a feeling of gratefulness which in turn makes you happy and satisfied with your life. If you compare your life for instance with a kid born into poverty in a third world country, who lacks basic things like a roof over their head, running water, even shoes. Things that you take for granted without skipping a beat and even complain about (holy hell if the elevator in your building breaks down and you have to climb 3 flights of stairs, throwing away the food because Lord forbid, they put mustard when you specifically said none etc..etc.). Comparing yourself in this case makes you realize just how fortunate you are to have been born into such a good life, challenges yeah..but a good life just the same. Hopefully, this in turn snaps you out of your self-pity and might even make you take action. Perhaps it might inspire you to help the homeless, or give to charity, bringing you even more peace and sense of purpose. In this case, comparison is not the thief of joy. It is the bringer of happiness and gratefulness.
Do you agree that comparison is the thief of joy all the time?
Whether or not I recognize where I lie in the pecking order, it still befuddles me that folks who can’t create a sentence, given the delivery of 4 words including a verb, or cover items of zero import get all the hype.
Haha! Thanks for the laugh today. Right. It kind of pisses you off to see layabouts get all the glory and money. It’s because the people making the decisions are just as dim witted :-).
For the most part, I have found comparing myself to others to be a counterproductive, even a self-harming, activity, for the reasons listed. I suppose it can bring a sense of gratitude when comparing oneself to those less fortunate. However, that, too, can have the consequences of condescension and criticism instead of compassion and empathy. It really boils down to character, in the end.
Yea..one has to find the balance, but l still believe the good outweighs the bad. If one becomes condescending, they really have major problems. I agree it might come down to character. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
I think comparison is never a good idea. Even when you are trying to cheer yourself up by telling yourself that at least is not as bad as the people who are … (fill in awful living condition), then you are thinking about how awful poverty is, or homelessness, or whatever. I have heard that the only person you should compare yourself to is yourself. Are things better for you than they were before? Etc. Easier said than done, though.
Haha! True. Easier said than done. I think l find it good, at least for me to compare because l try to emulate success. If one only compare you to you, then you might be missing out on a vast amount of knowledge. The ego can easily bow up because you start believing you know best and yours is the right way.
Each person has their own gifts I try never to compare anyone or anything. All has it’s own value.
Right you are. Everyone is unique. I do compare myself for inspiration because l know it spurs me on and sometimes shocks me out of my doldrums.
Comparison is not the best tool to use many a time! But, like you mention, if you turn it around to be inspired by those who are up there and to feel the need to help the unfortunate, that will be cool..
and agree with Brenda and Roy too!! I prefer being content and inspired…
I like to use it for inspiration and also for realizing how lucky l am when l feel down or think that life is being unfair to me. This in turn amplifies my content or makes me work towards a specific goal knowing it can be done..and has been done.. 🙂