It is common to find that people get a sense of satisfaction and achievement or frustration and discontent when they think they are better or worse than others because of what they have done. It usually stems from a comparison that gives a feeling that they are probably doing well or perhaps they are not.
One makes them happy while the other often bring about dissatisfaction. What happens afterwards may be pleasant or unpleasant depending on the next steps the individual desires to take. It may encourage someone to work on themselves to make themselves better or degenerate to a life of envy and bitterness.
What is the actual value of such an assessment? I wonder what you think.
Some time ago, a class of high school students were waiting for their next lesson to begin. They were engaged in some casual discussions to while away the time. There was a young man that shared some of his stories and experiences. He bought a pair of shoes for four hundred pounds—he was wearing them on the day. Some of his classmates had a quick peep to check and confirm. Most of them remained silent as they fastened their gaze and allowed him to carry on. He continued, saying that he is very wise and prudent because his friends bought a pair of shoes for four thousand pounds. He concluded that his friend’s shoes were too expensive and that he is a waster, not as wise and frugal as himself.
The class was quiet at his conclusions, but after a while, the tutor broke the silence and said; Well, it seems you are right in saying that your shoes are cheaper compared to your friends, but as far as I am concerned, none of you is better. I think that spending four hundred or four thousand pounds on a pair of shoes seems too expensive, in my opinion. However, I could agree that yours is just cheaper than his. He continued; I think that there are many quality shoes out there that are way cheaper than that for people like you.
Many people find themselves in the same situation and get tempted to make themselves look better than others because of what they have done or how they have done it. They never seem to know that the narrative changes when the people involved change. I would also like to imagine that the friend that got his pair of shoes for four thousand pounds is likely to think that he is also prudent. Yes, but that is when he compares himself to another friend that bought a pair of shoes for forty thousand pounds, for example. It all depends on the two parties involved.
It may seem that you are better because you are comparing yourself to someone that has done worse. It may also seem you are worse when you are comparing yourself to someone that has done better. However, there is some value in healthy comparison that could help you. If you see those doing better, it could encourage and inspire you to do better or improve.
If you see those that are doing worse than you, it could send a different signal. It could help you become grateful, appreciative, empathize, and probably see an opportunity to help them.
It could also have some opposite effects when the experience is not well managed. Some may see people that are better but get a different message. It could bring about jealousy, strife, anger, bitterness and a desire to be like them—losing their identity or values. Some may also see people that are worse and despise them or ridicule them.
Everyone is unique, and it is crucial to understand what we do with the comparison. It could help as well as destroy; it all depends on what we do with it.
You cannot measure a fish by the success of a snake. They were not both made to do the same things. When they do similar things, they do not do them in the same way. They have so many things in common; they live, reproduce, move, eat and so on, but they do those things in different ways—each achieving the purpose of its creation. Numerous factors contribute to the success of each one, and the inherent abilities that make them function the way they do are worthy of recognition.
In the same way, it is crucial to understand our uniqueness and not measure our success by what other people do, even when it seems better or worse. It is healthier to learn from them but measure ourselves by what the Creator designed us to do—what we ought to do.
God created everyone for a purpose, and each individual can live within the context of purpose to achieve their goal. There will always be people better, and there will always be people worse. It depends on who you decide to compare yourself to or what you see as a standard. It will always be a variable result, but one is constant, and that is when you measure yourself by what God created you to do.
You are not someone else, you are yourself, and you can live in the context of your framework and individuality. Be happy to be you and make the most of who you are to fulfil your purpose.
[pvcp_1]
