I wouldn’t mind being compared to a summer day by Shakespeare. I like the idea of being more lovely and more temperate than a day in summer.
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
– William Shakespeare – excerpt from Sonnet 18
When shopping for a tree I compare several trees before choosing one. But, trees are not people.
Why you shouldn’t compare yourself to other people.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
1. When you compare yourself to other people you may feel depressed.
You look at your friend with the long thin legs, and you start to hate your legs. You wake up sad because someone is taller than you.
“Oh dear. She is taller than me. She must be better than me. I think I will go and hide in my closet.” You have no control over the length of your legs. You do have control over your attitude. Get out of your closet, go for a walk, and be grateful for two legs.
2. When you are depressed you may stop believing in yourself.
You feel like you don’t measure up, so you stop trying. “Their writing is better than mine. Oh well, I won’t write anymore.” If everyone wrote the same thing we would only have one book in the whole world to read. Life would be so boring with only one book. You have a story inside of you that only you can tell. If you don’t write your story, the world will be deprived.
3. When you stop believing in yourself a beautiful song is silenced.
Feeling inadequate takes away the joy of being alive. You look at what other people are doing and you think their work has more value. “I just don’t measure up. I will stop smiling and frown instead.” Please start to smile again. Sing loudly and long, and be grateful for who you are.
4. When a beautiful song is silenced you may stop dreaming.
When you keep looking at what others are doing you forget to think. You forget to think about your dreams and desires. I have no more dreams. I will just watch what other people are doing.”If you keep looking at what others are doing all the time you may miss the opportunities that are right in front of you. And if you are watching others walk you may trip over a root in your path.
Remember not to compare.
You are not copied from another person’s pattern. You are an original. God didn’t drop a stitch when he made you. God made you special and He loves you very much.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.Psalm 139: 13-14
You are enough. No need to compare. Be you. You are amazing.
Do you compare yourself to other people?
Please let me know in the comments. I would love to chat.
