The need to compare ourselves to others is nothing new. The problem is these comparisons are never based on a simple truth.
Each of us is unique and beyond compare.
You see, the problem with comparisons is the ground we stand on is never level. You and those you may be led to compare yourself to are different and that is a good thing. It is those differences that make us who we are and nothing or no one can compare to that.
“You be you” is a mindset the world has told us is not enough. In fact, we are being told we cannot be and never will be enough. The reason given is, our world is inequitable, and this has made it impossible for some to rise above our station in life.
We are also being told these inequities exist because of our religions, our race, our sexual orientations, and our socio-economic situations. Therefore, we are left with no choice but to compare ourselves to others.
The fallacy in this mindset is nothing could be further from the truth.
You and I are who we are and what that means to us is up to us. The idea my life is less than it should be because someone else has more than I do or does less than I do is one that is being manipulated at every opportunity.
Why?
I believe this is because dissatisfaction breeds discouragement, discouragement leads to division and division invites anger and frustration into our lives.
What can we do about it? How can we stop comparing ourselves to others?
We must develop a new paradigm. One that says, “you be you” and I will be me. One that sees our lives as an opportunity instead of a series of disappointments.
Does this mean we will never see inequity? Of course not. It means we do not have to see ourselves as unable to push through and beyond the difficulties these inequities may bring. We do this by seeing ourselves as not only able but capable of doing anything we set our minds to doing.
Here is where drive and achievement exist and here is where personal responsibility and satisfaction can be found. This is true, even in a world that says you are not capable of achieving either.
I do not have the answer to why disparity and inequity exists. I also do not know why someone would be so dissatisfied with their own life that they would want to compare it to someone else’s.
Does this mean there are not people I look at and wonder why their life is so much different than mine?
Of course not, but now when I look at them, I simply think “you be you” and I will be me. Because in the end, if we are both striving to do our best, the results will be seen in the personal satisfaction of knowing we did just that.
Where we come from and what we believe about ourselves can cause us to miss out on the best thing about this life. What is that? It is the opportunity to be all we have been created to be!
When I develop a “you be you” mindset it will allow me to be me!
Galatians 6:4-5, “Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. Assume your own responsibility.”
