Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” What is for you. Will not miss you. Just keep showing up for yourself. Keep putting one foot in front of the other walking toward your goals.
So many times, in life we get disappointed because we think we should be further along than we are. Who told you that lie? Who or what are you comparing yourself to? Have you ever thought you are right where you should be in this moment in time? There are things that may have happened that were beyond our control and caused us to have to shift gears and go another route.
There was a time in my life where I yearned to have the family, the husband, the kids the house and the dog. I even sacrificed my well-being to have it for just a moment in time. All my friends were married, and I was single. They seemed so happy and had everything I ever wanted. And then there was Jenny, she had the same degree as me and she was working in the field I wanted to work in. She’s catching the criminals and solving crimes. If you haven’t guessed by now, I always wanted to work in law enforcement. Two of my favorite shows back in the day were New York Undercover and CSI- Miami! But working in law enforcement wasn’t the route my life took. God had other plans.
I have this friend who would always say to me, you got your degree and now I need to get mine. What this friend failed to realize was my drive, my commitment and determination, that’s what pushed me to where I am today. I had my reasons as to why I went to school and got a degree. But my reasons are not the same as theirs. And if they look to me and make comparisons, they will be miserable.
My point is that we will never be happy when we compare ourselves to others. We have no idea what their family structure is or their drive or commitment. We don’t know the road they took to get to where they are in life. Who was backing them financially or who was helping them with family if they had one? We don’t know anything about anyone. We can assume all day and think we know but it only makes us look and feel stupid in the end.
What we do know is ourselves and how we can do better for self. It’s not about what other people are doing. It’s about what you are doing. Every day we are blessed with is a new opportunity to get closer to our goals. We will bump up against obstacles that will sometimes derail us, but once that is handled, we get back up and go again.
I stopped comparing myself to people a long time ago. The only person I compare myself too is the woman I was yesterday. I reflect at night when I journal on how my day went and how I could have handled a situation better. Whether that was how I treated myself or how I treated others. I always want to be a better version of myself every day. Will I mess up yes because I’m human and I do human things. But if I have breath in my body, I will strive to do and better.
I want to encourage you as I encourage myself to keep being the best version of you. It’s okay to look to others as a guide to see what you can do for your life but never to compare. Because like I said before you don’t know their story or struggle. Continue to evolve and grow in every area of your life. You be the change you want to see!
Sending you love, light and positive vibes,
Cassie K.
*Always remember to LIVE life to the fullest, to LAUGH at everything and to LOVE unconditionally!"
This was a challenge for me my whole life. I never begrudged those that had, but wish I had moved the needle further myself. Usually, it was that I hadn't put the work in the other person had, but it still stung that I was so far behind. I was a late bloomer and eventually got there and gave up measuring myself to other and started to measure against myself. If I saw progress, I was happy, if I don't, I get working.
Thank You!!