comparing ourselves to others can help us be more empathetic, and it can help ground us. it can force us see that our reality is not all that bad, and in the big picture, we have so much to be thankful for. it can foster appreciation for who and what we are, and also for who and what others are. but, on the other hand, i wonder if, on a deeper level, comparisons are not the most fruitful way to find a deep sense of contentment and meaning. by comparing oneself with others, we are tacitly setting standards for ourselves about the ways in which we should act or think, and doing this, it seems, can often lead to one thinking that they are either better or worse than the person/thing that they are comparing themselves to. i do think it is useful to observe others and think about how others actions/thoughts might differ from our own, but maybe not in the sense that something is better or worse; but rather to just observe different ways of existing in this world. is that possible? would it be possible to embrace and love ourselves with a deep sense of compassion that does not depend on how we are in comparisons to others?
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 13:50:46 +0000
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