Here is what I want to say, every day we get up and we start analyzing our lives, making observations: it's too hot in my room, I slept in too late, cool I have an awesome line from my pajamas digging into my fat...these observations constitute our attitude for the majority of our day. We go about our day looking at other people, comparing ourselves to them. Sometimes the comparison is envious of her slender figure, his amazing car, their baby, clothes, pizza, giant purple people eater... while those comparisons can cheapen the great blessings in your life by blinding you from what you have. Comparison of others to make yourself feel better can also take away joy and happiness, "At least I don't look like that," "I get to go out at night, she's stuck at home with her baby," "Another stupid Facebook status about her boyfriend," "What a freak of nature!" These comparisons we build up in our minds lead to only negative thoughts, negative actions, and negative lives.
I, Megan Christene Brandley, am a major comparer (comparde, comparist, comparess?) I compare on every level, to make myself believe I am better, to wish that I were better, or to just compare. It sucks away the joy from your life and limits your ability to think positively. We believe our lives should be something that they aren't, we believe we should always be searching for more, achieving more, being more, and while it is good to continuously progress it is always important to live in the here and the now and embrace the amazing ups and downs of life. I am at a point in my life that I always longed for, I graduated from college, I have a job teaching American History, I am married to my best friend, I have an amazing family, I live by mountains, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I didn't have to fight in the hunger games, and I woke up this morning! Why would I want another life? Why would you want a life other than your own. Fun fact, you get to make your own life there may be external factors that continuously interfere, but you get to decided how you react to those negatives.
I am striving to put aside everything I used to compare about myself to others, everything I used to believe I should be, or what others think I should be, or what I think others think I should be, and be here and now. Comparison is thief of joy, it pits us against one another and against ourselves. We are each given our individual lives, struggles, successes, and joys. It takes a conscious effort everyday not to compare ourselves to others. It's a beautiful struggle, and a beautiful life.
