If you're anything like me, you sometimes catch yourself staring hard at someone in the gym, thinking "How? Literally, how does one ever look like that? Hasn't this guy ever heard of Chic Fil-A?" And even after your friend brings you back to earth to suggest running a little faster than two miles per hour, the thought lingers. "He must get asked out a lot," or "I bet he hasn't once complained about Abercrombie's sizes," are just a few things that continuously run through our minds hours afterward. And though we eventually get over it, we don't realize the damage we do by just putting small negative thoughts in our heads. Yes, you will get over one ripped guy at the gym but when the comparisons continue, you're in trouble. And no matter how many trainers may suggest it or how many Gossip Girl episodes advertise it, comparison should be avoided for the following reasons...
1. You're the Simon Cowell of your own life.
You know Simon, he's the harshest. But that's you too. Stop comparing your worst to someone else's best.
2. You're wasting your time.
Not only are you unaware of the other person's situation, but your short time on earth shouldn't be filled with thoughts of someone else enjoying it more than you.
3. Its not a fair gamble.
Go ahead, compare yourself. But just remember, if you win you feel good for five minutes. If you lose, you could lose confidence, self-esteem, even your dignity.
4. Eyes on the prize
Stop focusing on their life when you've got your own to live. For every minute you wasted comparing your booty size to some other girl's, you could've been shaking it to Missy Elliot's Lose Control.
5. It never ends well.
Often, comparison leads to envy and resentment. Two burdens you don't need on top of your fabulous life.
6. It's an endless pit.
If you are used to comparing about one thing, you'll eventually find yourself comparing every aspect of yourself. If you keep looking at the same guy in the gym and continue the comparison, pretty soon you'll want his job, his skills, and his car too. The list will only ever get longer.
7. No one can be you.
You are your own unique and specially made person. Your skills, features, and character are all tailored to fit the masterpiece that is you. No one else.
8. There really is no way to measure.
Just like you can't measure the size of an iceberg from its tip, you can't compare yourself to someone else simply by staring from afar. You don't know their journey, you only know yours. All you can be sure of is that every path has its stones.
9. You'll never be happy.
Horse races have taught me more than the stupidity of spending your birthday money on a gamble. Interestingly enough, the reason race horses must wear masks that narrow their view is so that they do not look at the horse next to them. They would become distracted and lose the race. the same goes for life. You can't focus on enjoying the life you have in front of you by staring at someone else's. You'll lose every time.
