Why comparing ourselves is a direct threat on our happiness

In life, we have a natural tendency to compare.  Compare ourselves to others.  Compare our present to our past.  Compare our place in society to society as a whole.  Compare our bodies, ours spouses, our houses, our cars, our jobs, our happiness, our health and our wealth.  It’s often how we gauge success, by measuring it up against something.  Whether that be another person or our own expectations.  The problem, however, is…

COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY

Comparison naturally puts the spotlight on what we don’t have and what others do have.  Or, what we don’t have that our past selves expected us to have or to achieve by now.  However, we don’t take in to consideration that comparison is often biased, presumptuous and based largely on speculation.  The conclusions we reach are not based on hard data, they’re emotional.

Those constant comparisons are snap judgements that rob us of the ability to enjoy our own successes on our own terms.  They rob us of the ability to enjoy the present moment for what it is rather than what we think it should be.

OUR PLACE IN THIS WORLD IS TOTALLY AND ENTIRELY UNIQUELY OURS.  NO ONE ELSE LIVES THE EXACT SAME LIFE.  THERE IS NO CLEAR CUT PATH TO A JOYFUL, ABUNDANT LIFE.  IT IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING. 

What if we looked around at everything we already have and focused our attention on that rather than constantly thinking about everything we THINK we need or what everyone else has that we don’t?  What if we stopped comparing and started defining our success based on our own definition and merit?  What if we chose to celebrate the success of others rather than wallow in our own pity?  What if we embraced our unique path rather than pigeon-hole ourselves in to society’s expectations?

The beauty of the matter is that it’s all a choice. 

WE CAN CHOOSE TO LET GRATITUDE FILL US UP OR LET COMPARISON DRAG US DOWN. 

The moment we choose gratitude is the moment our lives feel like enough, no matter what everyone else is doing.  That in itself is worth celebrating.

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By Michele

Michele

Hi, I'm Michele, a nomadic wedding photographer and lover of the great outdoors. I live on the road full-time and document my adventures daily. This is my personal blog where I share and record my thoughts on living simply and intentionally with less stress and more joy. Check out my wedding and portrait photography at http://www.oncwest.com

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