Comparisons

[Guest guest]

Hmm. Comparison mentality.

 

I have always had an issue personally with saying " it could be worse " to me

because it sounds as if the person who is saying it (IMO) is telling me they

minimize my personal experience. That of course is not their intention, but

since

everyone has different challenges (and gifts), comparison is an invalid strategy

for happiness.

 

We have to remember that everyone has their own level of tolerance... a hangnail

may be excruciating for one person, while another can walk on a broken leg for

miles. When we start comparing ourselves to others, favorably or unfavorably,

we

can begin to feel dissatisfaction... fear, anger, shame, guilt, jealousy,

lust...

 

I have an old comic strip somewhere, you may remember " Miss Peach " ? One child

is

saying, a little maliciously, to another, 'Everyone is always telling me how

wonderful I am, how talented and beautiful. I wonder why they don't say that to

you?' And the other child responds, 'Perhaps they think you need it more.'

 

I'm enjoying reading what makes people feel good... there are some

commonalities,

and then there are some individualities. If we focus on our own blessings, and

hear what others feel are blessings, we are in a better position to make the

world

a better place for ourselves and others... we have a starting point, in other

words. We can become each other's lovers, seeking to provide the opportunity

for

experiencing the simple pleasing things that can improve each other's quality of

life.

 

An old story is told about a chief who had many sons who argued constantly about

their superiority. One day the chief had each of his sons bring him some strong

sticks, which he laid on the ground in front of him. He had each one come up

and

pick up a stick and try to break it, and each one was successful. Then he

gathered up the sticks that were left into a bundle, and he had them try

again...

and none of them could break the bundle. The lesson is that no matter who we

are,

we all need each other in some way. Lack in one may stimulate generosity in

another; adversity may stimulate compassion; weakness may be balanced with

strength; ignorance with wisdom.

 

It is our very fragility and mortality that makes us precious as living beings,

and the exquisite moments that remind us of our transience on this plane can

help

us value the opportunities we have been given every day we wake up.

 

Blessings,

Crow

 

 

Sonya wrote:

 

> I have been reading everyone's posts regarding " feel good stuff " and I just

> can't help but feel " good " even though I may not personally enjoy the music

> listed, or imagery presented. All the happiness everyone has experienced, and

> are re-living, by just mentioning these times seems to transpose these

feelings

> through my computer screen!!! So thank you to everyone for sharing such

> wonderful emotions.

>

> I've had a thought about what it takes to " feel good " and how people say to us

> when we face times of hardship that " it could be worse " or " at least your not

a

> starving child in Ethiopia " or " Billy had the same thing happen to him only it

> was much worse " . Is this kind of thinking just meant to get us through a

crisis

> or are we to accept it as a methodology in our day-to-day lives? I suppose, at

> the other end of the spectrum, it could also lead to a mind set of jealousy

> because " Jack has it so much better than me " .

>

> Just something that popped into my head while reflecting on this topic.

>

> In peace,

>

> S.