IN COMPARISON

I received my first Christmas Card in the mail today.



Some people just cannot help themselves--over achieving is in their gene pool. I immediately went into panic mode, since I had not even begun to think about Christmas cards!  My young friend who sent the card is her mother's daughter and both of them will be the first out of the gate for most occasions.  My goal at this point is to not be last and have them out the door before Christmas.  There is always the possibility of a new trend of New Year's cards.  Something tells me I would be fighting that deadline too!



In April, my exercise buddies and I are run/walking (I WILL BE WALKING--NOT GOING TO MAKE THAT HIP MADDER AT ME) a 11 mile Mini Race during the Big Sur marathon.  The pressure to run is on for the rest of the girls all still run some.  I could cave and begin training to try and keep up, or I could choose good sense and not further tick my hip off.  I will never be in the tip top shape the rest of these girls are, and I forget compared to the rest of the senior citizens in the world, I am not so bad.



I love to cook, but do not spend as much time in the kitchen as I once did.  Several of my good friends are excellent cooks, I am intimidated, to say the least, when placing one of my dishes next to their latest savory offering.  I have friends who cook very little and do not enjoy being in the kitchen.  Never thinking of those who don't cook, I am always measuring myself by those who are fabulous cooks.  




I really enjoy blogging~it is my form of journaling in some ways.  Always writing about what is currently floating around in the deep dark abyss called my brain, it is a form of processing.  The reader count is my worst enemy when it comes to continuing to write.  There are bloggers who have huge audiences and it is truly intimating to know my count is a small fraction of their followers.  Rather than focusing on those who do read my muses and their comments, I wonder where am I coming up short.



Comparison is not our friend.  The only person we should ever compare ourselves with is our self.  We loose our joy when we begin looking around and comparing every detail of our life with someone else.  The jaded conception of the rest of the world being perfect and we are lacking begins to take our joy.  God created each and every one of us uniquely, and yet we are constantly seeking to be like others. The Word points to the body having many parts, we are given different gifts, and we are wonderfully and uniquely created.  Instead of celebrating our differences, we covet what others have.  




John McCain was a very successful man and died a celebrated and accomplished.  He graduated from the Naval Academy fifth from the bottom of the class.  He did not wallow in the cess pool of comparison, but instead called upon his strengths to become a celebrated war hero, great leader, and acclaimed servant of his country.  If he had allowed his failure to succeed in  college to defeat him, we would have never known the leader he became.

SO, STOP comparing yourself to anyone but the person you were yesterday.  Continue to lift the bar higher than it the last time you made it across and take joy in your accomplishments.  I may never be the woman of those lofty dreams of my youth, but I can be the best me of today.  I am not you--you are not me--let us celebrate our uniqueness and cheer each other on to a better person.  No more comparison--only introspection and striving for the best we can be.


Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. 
Galatians 6:4

6 comments

  1. Comparisons are good. I always compare myself to others in order to prove that I am better. I am so perfect I am amazed that God did not create more people like me. Perhaps He wants me to be a shining example for others to emulate.

    OK ... now I feel better. Although it would have been more worthy if someone else had said these things about me, rather than me having to do it.

    Oh Lord ... it's hard to be humble, when I am perfect in every way!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHEfSzUbh3s

    God bless.

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    Replies
    1. I remember that song! Yes, you are perfect, Victor. Perhaps we could get your mother in law to confirm it.
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  2. Goodness, Lulu, I really heard that one about comparing blog stats to those of others . . . Yes, I try not to, because I so enjoy the beautiful friends who visit and comment faithfully.
    Comparing ourselves to others is a dangerous game to play. We are all unique and have special God-given gifts to use and share. Let's focus on that!
    Blessings, my friend!

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  3. After re-reading this blog and seeing all the errors, perhaps I should be grateful my readers are not more--LOL!
    Amen to where our focus should be!
    Blessings, My Friend!

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  4. I love you and reading your blogs! I also think Jonah died in the belly of the fish before he was vomited out onto shore...�� On the serious side, you are spot on with the article about comparing. The one comparing themselves usually feels they fall far short of the standard!

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    1. OH, you gave yourself away, Anonymous, with the Jonah comment! That is okay as you will read in the next blog, I am flexible when it comes to your opinion!
      Blessings, My Friend!

      Delete

Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!