Making comparisons has become a habit. When we experience anything, after the first thought, we start benchmarking it to something else. A meal in a restaurant gets compared to other restaurants. On a holiday we compare the current experience to past experiences. We compare different people in our life. And before we know it, at a subconscious level, we are comparing our lives with those around us.
At some level, making comparisons is good if we need to evaluate several options. But when constant comparison becomes our outlook in life, it can create several challenges for us.
At a fundamental level, it takes us away from having an experience in its entirety. We deprive ourselves of the pure, unfiltered, undivided attention of being fully present in the now. And this takes away from enjoying and experiencing the essence of life. We may be having a good time, but the moment we start comparing it to a better time we have had, we have lost the experience being special in its own way.
Constant comparison can lead to constant dissatisfaction. The mind loves going into wanting what it does not have.
It makes us judgemental. We stop accepting people and things for what they are and focus on their faults and gaps.
We compromise our own learning and development. Before we observe and absorb anything fully, we start our response with ‘but’.
And without realising, we hurt others. No one is perfect. We all have our fault lines. Those who care for us and depend on us, look forward to our love and acceptance, not criticism and comparison.
We must observe, learn, and be inspired by others but must never feel inadequate, which sometimes does happen. It’s only when we understand and truly appreciate our own special place and purpose in the world, will we live with constant love and joy. And nothing compares to that.
(Picture-Beautiful flowers in Khandala)
How true this is and wonderfully put. Comparison does not let us live fully in the moment. Does not let us enjoy life to the fullest. If one of the athletes always compares him/herself to his/her competitor, he/she risks to focus on his/her own qualities.