Are you more likely to compare yourself to those who "have" more than you or to those who "have" less?
Even though one comparison has the effect of making one feel dissatisfied, I would wager that we choose this comparison far more than the other.
When you compare your situation to those who "have" less, naturally one feels grateful, blessed, lucky, and content. (And as a bonus, a little thing called compassion starts growing inside.)
So clearly, there is a superior choice here.
Why, as human beings, do we choose the comparison that provokes ill-feelings?
Instinct?
7 comments:
I don't really compare myself to anyone.
I've never seen the point.
I think we all compare ourselves to whatever's out there, whether it be our friends, our acquaintances, movie stars, even characters from stories.
We figure out who we are partially by paying attention to what or who we think others are.
We like this quality, don't like that quality, etc.
I don't think about wealth as much as I think about ethics and morals and personality. Why is this person this way? How did that person get ahead acting that way? Is that an attractive way to be?
And why does that one guy refuse to follow the rules and have to push ahead when the freeway lanes merge from three to two?
Funny - I usually compare myself to have-nots when it comes to material things - which obviously has the effect that you decribe.
But I'm mildly ashamed to admit that, from time to time, I will compare myself to the Have's when it comes to more emotional things. Of course that inevitable results in me feeling like crap about certain things.
Sigh, I know what you mean. Unfortunately I compare myself to those who have more than I do, instead of just being grateful for what I already have. And I love the pics you posted below! Happy belated HNT!
I don't compare myself to anyone else but me. Saves a lot of time and frustration.
I have to say that those of you who say you don't compare yourself to others.
Bullshit!
I'll be happy to direct you to particular blog posts of your own to prove my point.
Very powerful post. I think I fall in line with Dantallion - look to the have-nots for the material, and the haves [at times] for the emotional. I work for a non-profit and I get so frustrated with our constant emphasis on 'stuff'. But then again, I come from a family that is very comfortable financially, so perhaps I just don't know what it means to truly be struggling financially.
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