Compared to {Happiness}

One of the fastest ways to feel unhappy about your life, your body, and your accomplishments is through comparison. Dissatisfaction has become synonymous with striving to be better, and we compare ourselves to others to figure out whether we are better than them, but all we get instead is the feeling of dissatisfaction in ourselves.

When I look at another woman I usually size her up. I think it's a natural thing, or at least I can't remember being any other way. I naturally want to be a better mate than her, putting it scientifically. However, there are two ways to take this mental game from here: either you feel competitive and driven to look better, sound smarter and work harder (using said other person as inspiration), or you turn inwards and get upset that you aren't already that pretty, that smart or that successful.

The first road will take you to greater heights, but most of us take the second. Once again I am going to ask this question like I did in my post Be {Happy}, Be Healthy: Why do we do this to ourselves? You have to unprogram your mind for hating on yourself. It is not modesty. It is destructive to your well-being.

Take tomorrow to try to notice when you compare yourself to someone else. Then, when you catch yourself doing it, think about all of the things you love about being you and all of the goals, plans and hopes you have. Think about how far you have come and how much further you will still go. And let yourself be proud.

You ARE a great person, you WILL do great things. The only way to leave your mark on the world is to make it your own mark, and comparing yourself to others will not allow you to develop individuality. You should actually be happy you aren't like someone else. Be you instead.

Judgment traps you within the limitations of your comparisons. It inhibits freedom. - Willie Stargell