Choosing Our Comparisons
I'm the mother of five beautiful children and most days I feel like they are the greatest blessing in the world. On other days though, I want to wring necks and karate chop throats - I don't though (he he he). In either case, each of my babies brings me inspiration and appreciation in their own way.
I recently I picked up my girls from spending time with friends/family. Within 10 minutes of being home, my 12 year old stomped into the kitchen with 100% attitude. "Momma why didn't you get MY nails done?!!" Her nose flared, forehead wrinkled and the pouting ensued as she openly expressed her utter disgust at my decision to treat her older sister to a manicure.
As any mother might, I sternly redirected my 12 year old by reminding her that I am the mother and I decide how and where the money is spent. I added that she would NOT have recieve what I had planned for her if she continued to act so jealous and ungrateful. Needless to say, she quickly got happy, apologized and let it go.
The most baffling part of the above true scenario is that my 12 yr. old was scheduled to have a birthday party where she and her friends would have manicures and more - an event that took far more effort and funding than the $10 manicure her sister received. She got so wrapped up in what her big sister had that she came close to being stripped of what she knew she was due to receive. Has that ever happened to you?
How many of us have acted ungratefully or even outright jealous because we look at others instead of the great things going on in our own lives? How many times have we gotten upset because we aren't living the good life we once did?
In life, we have so many things we can compare and contrast. Some believe that our feelings of satisfaction or lack thereof, are a direct reflection of how we compare ourselves to others or our past to our present. Could this be true?
If we were to compare ourselves to ones who seem to have it all, we might feel like we're missing out on something. If we choose to measure ourselves against those less fortunate than ourselves though, we tend to believe we're doing quite alright. Sometimes, another person isn't who we compare ourselves with at all. We may find ourselves stuck in the rut of past happiness; comparing our old lives to our current situation instead.
Concerning ourselves with can cause us to lose appreciation for the many great things in our own lives. A failed attempt to duplicate personal victories of the past is often worse than looking over at our neighbor's green grass. Whichever poison we choose, if we're not careful, we might deprive ourselves of future opportunities at happiness.
So how do we choose our comparisons wisely? If you must compare yourself to anyone or anything at all - not highly recommended - seek examples that help you to be comfortable with who YOU are. Focus comparisons on where you are rather than where you were and try to remain grateful for YOUR blessings regardless of current struggles.
What you have is sufficient, be grateful in spite of…
I recently I picked up my girls from spending time with friends/family. Within 10 minutes of being home, my 12 year old stomped into the kitchen with 100% attitude. "Momma why didn't you get MY nails done?!!" Her nose flared, forehead wrinkled and the pouting ensued as she openly expressed her utter disgust at my decision to treat her older sister to a manicure.
As any mother might, I sternly redirected my 12 year old by reminding her that I am the mother and I decide how and where the money is spent. I added that she would NOT have recieve what I had planned for her if she continued to act so jealous and ungrateful. Needless to say, she quickly got happy, apologized and let it go.
The most baffling part of the above true scenario is that my 12 yr. old was scheduled to have a birthday party where she and her friends would have manicures and more - an event that took far more effort and funding than the $10 manicure her sister received. She got so wrapped up in what her big sister had that she came close to being stripped of what she knew she was due to receive. Has that ever happened to you?
How many of us have acted ungratefully or even outright jealous because we look at others instead of the great things going on in our own lives? How many times have we gotten upset because we aren't living the good life we once did?
Today's Inspiration
Choose Comparisons Wisely
In life, we have so many things we can compare and contrast. Some believe that our feelings of satisfaction or lack thereof, are a direct reflection of how we compare ourselves to others or our past to our present. Could this be true?
If we were to compare ourselves to ones who seem to have it all, we might feel like we're missing out on something. If we choose to measure ourselves against those less fortunate than ourselves though, we tend to believe we're doing quite alright. Sometimes, another person isn't who we compare ourselves with at all. We may find ourselves stuck in the rut of past happiness; comparing our old lives to our current situation instead.
Concerning ourselves with can cause us to lose appreciation for the many great things in our own lives. A failed attempt to duplicate personal victories of the past is often worse than looking over at our neighbor's green grass. Whichever poison we choose, if we're not careful, we might deprive ourselves of future opportunities at happiness.
So how do we choose our comparisons wisely? If you must compare yourself to anyone or anything at all - not highly recommended - seek examples that help you to be comfortable with who YOU are. Focus comparisons on where you are rather than where you were and try to remain grateful for YOUR blessings regardless of current struggles.
What you have is sufficient, be grateful in spite of…
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