No comparisons!

by worrylessjourney, posted in anxiety, appearance, belief, choices, comparisons, perspective, Uncategorized

“Comparisons are odious.” Madeleine L’Engle

comparisons_dogs

We spend a lot of time comparing ourselves to others. And yet, I am not someone else….I am me. I can’t expect to be exactly like another. I can’t expect another to be like me. We are each unique. It is important for us to realize this and not make comparisons. Comparisons can make me feel less than. That is not a good feeling. We each have to learn to accept ourselves and only work on becoming the best ME I can be.

This poem about comparisons was written a while ago.

The Rose

I wonder if the rose

compares itself to all other roses

and thus negates its beauty

by comparison

 

I suppose the rose

would find this idea silly

and wonder why anything

would want to do this

 

I would imagine

that the rose

simply delights in its own

uniqueness

and never worries about

comparisons.

 

©Suzanne Boyd 1997

 

 

8 thoughts on “No comparisons!”

  1. I compare myself to others ( especially on social media) and I realize how harmful this; it really hurts myself esteem. You are right; I am not you and you are not me. We are all on our own journeys in life and we have to accept ourselves and we when compare ourselves with others; we always feel inferior. Great post and I hope you have a great 2019

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  2. I love the mental picture of the rose making comparisons. So obviously silly. So why do we do it???
    “Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt
    I had that quote on a slip of paper in my guitar case for years to keep me from making myself feel inferior.

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  4. I have to admit that I am guilty of making those comparisons. It can be useful if our goal is to better ourselves or rid ourselves of negative qualities that hinder us from being our best selves (as you mentioned). But most of the time, I would say that the comparison game only leads to self-loathing (in your words, “feeling less than”) and the desire to be something or someone God did not intend us to be. I love the words of Dr. Seuss, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Even more, I love the words of David in the Psalms, “For you [God] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm‬ ‭139:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬) God made you to be you. God made me to be me. Who are we to question His grand design!! I love this post! 🙂

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