We spend a great deal of time comparing ourselves to others.
He’s so much taller than I am.
She looks so much thinner than I am.
They have a bigger house than we do.
These comparisons rarely bring us peace or joy.
Do you think she’s prettier than me?
He looks like he makes more money than I do.
Look at that new car, it must run so much better than ours.
Yes, it depends on which side of the equation we are on.
Yet even when we temporarily make ourselves feel better by comparing, in the long run, there’s always someone who has something nicer, bigger, or better than we do.
Do you think this restaurant is better than the other one?
Do you like this movie better than the one last year?
Is this book a better read than that one?
Especially when we compare two things that are not directly comparable, we set ourselves up for disagreement.
How about, they are both good in different ways?
How about, I enjoyed both equally for different reasons?
How about, For where I was at that time in my life it was perfect, and now that I’m at a different place, this is perfect instead?
There are many factors that go into what is good/best/better at a specific time.
By comparing different things that all have something to contribute we diminish each one.
When we learn to see everything as having some value, each in it’s own unique way, we add to each one.
When we stop comparing and start seeing things in their own light, we can appreciate each one.
Yes, there are times when comparison can be useful.
Yet perhaps we can enrich our lives by appreciating more and comparing less.
~ Sam Liebowitz, The Conscious Consultant
