Lately, I have really been struggling to find something to write about, but then I thought to myself, "why not write about the very thing that's bothering me right now?" And so here I am.
Comparison, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is "an examination of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities."
Guilty.
A comparison is something that is ingrained in us since early childhood. We identify things about other people that is different than us such as hair color, skin color, gender, voice, appearance, wealth, belongings, etc. The list goes on and on. We compare each and every single thing we encounter in our daily lives whether we are conscientious of it or not. Even walking down the street we look at the individual going the opposite direction and pick apart everything about them in .5 seconds. Stop denying it. We all do it whether we care to admit it or not.
I honestly always say that I don't judge people for their lifestyle because I really don't know every person's upbringing. Yet I've never once said that I don't compare people because today it finally hit me that I am more than guilty of it. I'm guilty of it in more ways than I can possibly list. I compare my academic performance, my income, my possessions, my vehicle, my goals, and dreams. I compare my faith. Yes, it's possible and oh so common to compare your walk with the Lord to someone else's. I compare my appearance; ladies and gents, every single person reading this, you're guilty of this too. Don't deny it. Comparison as Theodore Roosevelt said, "is the thief of joy" and it's more than true. I feel it, and I know you do too.
How many of you have woken up in a great mood, grabbed your phone and gone straight to social media only to wind up angry and bitter inside, or lonely and sad, and not knowing why? Let me tell you. It's comparison. I can't explain how many times that I have gone on social media and looked at other people's posts and started to feel things like worthlessness, unimportance, like I'm incapable of an adventurous life, like I'm missing out on outings with my friends, or seeing all these pictures of these super beautiful women and comparing myself to them. But NEWSFLASH, not everything you see on social media is genuine, true, or accurate, you name it. I see so many fitness people who are crushing the lies of other fitness people by showing proof of how easy it is to fake being 100% in shape all the time (kudos to those lie destroyers, we need more of you). There was even a recent article about the #bowwowchallenge that shows a celebrity even lying about his wealth and stellar through social media and being called out on it. Keep in mind, a great deal of the time celebrities are paid to post certain things on social media.
Comparison isn't only an issue in the social media and technological realm, but also in real life. Big time. It can happen between co-workers, people on the streets, classmates, professors, family members, and even yourself. Comparison against yourself can possibly be the most detrimental. So often I hear about people comparing themselves to their past selves. Usually, I hear the comment of how they used to fit into those jeans or something else along those lines. Another newsflash, puberty happens, your body changes, and no it will never be the same as it was beforehand. We compare something each and every day whether it's voiced or not.
Comparison is also expressed countless times throughout the Bible. Psalm 73:2-6 (ESV) reads, "But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment." I think far too often we get caught up in the "perfect" lives everyone else is living and focusing on the pain and awful things going on in our life, neglecting to realize that we only see other people's highlights on social media. John 16:33 (ESV) reads, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Our lives aren't going to be easy, they aren't going to be free of comparisons, but by being aware of comparing yourself or whatever it may be; that's the first step to changing those patterns, those behaviors and ultimately changing yourself. Stop comparing your low-lights to someone else's highlights. Stop comparing your genetics to someone else's. Stop comparing your journey to someone else's. Everyone's path is unique in their own way, just like yours, just like mine. We all are born and eventually we all die, but it's what's in-between that makes us into the person we are. You can either choose to spend your entire life comparing it to someone else's and never being fully satisfied, or you can decide to become the best "you" you can be, and watch a life of possibilities unravel in front of your eyes.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." –Mark Twain
