Fwd: Comparisons

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 05/10/2001 8:34:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

carocrow writes:

 

Crow,

I would like to thank you for this very moving post. It is all so true. We

all at sometime in our lives compare ourself to another. I do know I have but

I know myself now that I am who I am, what GOD wanted me to be and I'm

satisfied with that now. In the feel good things I like are crawling up with

a good book. I've been doing that a lot lately and that feels so good to me.

Take care all,

I remain,

Ellie

<<

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

 

 

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