Recently, I read an article about 12 things that Happy People do differently than the rest of us. These things are called “Happiness Tips
I’m not sure I agree with all of them and I am not sure it is inclusive of some very other important “Happiness Tips”.
I include here some of my thoughts on the issue. I offer this to you in hopes that we may start a dialogue.
Avoid social comparison.
Here, they were talking about comparing yourself to other people and it is maintained that this action is Poisonous!
I totally agree with this one! It’s a no-win situation.
If we think we are better than someone, we inflate our egos and put brakes on trying to improve ourselves. It gives us permission to look down on others, never a healthy thing to do. . And there is always the possibility that we may be wrong, the other person Is better.
If we think we are not as good as someone else, we put ourselves down and our self-esteem can suffer. It’s a good way to cultivate envy and resentments.
You and I and everyone else, each of us has a unique way of looking at things, of expressing ourselves, of being human. We are each remarkable, unrepeatable, individuals.
Comparisons always make someone suffer, and seldom, if ever, come from a healthy place.
What do you think?
I am in agreement. I believe that every person I meet is smarter than I am about something and so there's no way I can be better. And while I might have pangs of envy now and then (because someone is talented in a way that I'd like to be), I don't feel lesser than either. I know I possess some gifts. We are where we are for a myriad of reasons, some of which we may never understand. I think this rule loops back to your first: gratitude. If you're grateful for your experience, your life, it's not likely you'll spend time comparing yourself to others and making yourself feel bad. Now, if comparing yourself to other (all your good fortune) makes you have more compassion and causes you to reach out in kindness to someone who could use some, well then, that's the sort of comparison that could prove useful... as long as you don't think you're better than others.
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