Comparison is the Thief of Joy

Have you ever heard this saying before, “Comparison is the thief of joy’?

Joy, my friends, is so important in our lives. It’s what makes our lives fulfilling, happy, rich, memorable and worth living.

If you have children, know children, teach children, have nieces or nephews or grandkids, help them understand this concept from the youngest age, so that they don’t struggle with the feeling of jealousy, envy or feeling inferior. There are three principals which I am going to share on how to overcome this issue of when people compare themselves to others.  Comparison can make us feel diminished, less confident, less valuable, envious or jealous (which are very unhealthy emotions).  The good news is that we can overcome this issue and teach it to our children.

The antidote to ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’:

1. Have a higher awareness. The minute you find yourself comparing and you don’t feel a positive emotion, be aware that you are comparing and making yourself feel worse. So awareness really is important. Stop yourself every time it happens and tell yourself, “I am happy for that person.”  If they have got anything that you like, or that you think is better than yours, just be happy for them. Awareness is the first step to change.  Comparing yourself is a habitual pattern and can be changed.

2. Understand that we are all unique. Every single one of us has got our own talents and gifts, and we need to love to ourselves and our uniqueness.  When people are different to us, whether that’s how they are naturally, or whether they own different things which are more expensive or better models, then honour that. They are unique, they are different. You are unique and you are different. So don’t compare. Focus on your own Focus on your own blessings, and count your own blessings. We really do have a lot to be grateful for. Never knock other people. The minute you find yourself comparing or running someone down, stop yourself; have the awareness, reel it in and always try to praise someone or compliment them on anything that is different to what you have.

The most important thing is that you have to learn to love yourself. That’s when you don’t feel diminished when someone has got anything different or better than you. You are happy for them. You love them for that. Why? Because you love yourself. So the first relationship is the one with yourself, and remember life is a journey, so learn to love yourself.

Therefore, the three ways to overcome ‘comparison being the thief of joy’, is awareness and stopping yourself comparing.  Love your own uniqueness and other peoples’. Keep trying to improve yourself and love yourself, compliment others, admire what they have, love them for it, and love yourself at the same time.

Otherwise, have a wonderful day and God bless.