Why Comparisons Are Not A Good Idea For You!

Comparisons in Life

Comparisons have grown over time to become an inextricable part of the modern human lifestyles. When we sit alone, we compare the things we possess in the present to the things we had a few years back. We also compare our present situation financially, socially and personally to our past circumstances. And finally we compare the person we are today to the person we were at one point of time. Also, when we are with people, we compare our present possessions, situation and personality with them. So, comparisons have become an important part of our life as it is used in almost everything we do or do not do. The question is why do we compare so much and does it help us in anyway. If it does then to what extent? And if it doesn’t, then what do we do with comparisons? Should we remove it altogether from our life or should we reduce its use to an optimal frequency?

Why We Compare So Often?

Why We Compare So Often?

We live in a world full of variety, diversities, changes & uncertainty. There are different   kinds of things around us and they are constantly evolving into something new. Everything in the physical world has an ever-changing and different shape, size, color, etc. When there are so many differences, comparisons and a relative analysis of things become a natural consequence. 

We compare things so that we can know about them and we can weigh their pros & cons so as to to use them to our benefit in an informed manner. We compare our situations & ourself to our past and to others around us so that we may get a clear picture about where we stand in life right now so that we can keep improving as a person. And these comparisons do help us get better. But the question is to what extent?

Why Comparisons Are Not Such A Good Idea? 

Why Comparisons Are Not A Good Idea?

When we progress only by looking at others and by comparing ourselves to them, unknowingly we cripple and limit our growth within a certain boundary. We are able to grow but only to the extent of the people we compare ourselves with, that too in the best case scenario. But the problem here is that this whole process of trying to live and become like someone else is extremely stressful to begin with. Also, if we don’t reach to the level of the person we compared ourself to, then we will get extremely disappointed & sad. But even if we do reach to that level, we will lose our uniqueness once and forever. 

So, even after reaching exactly where we wanted to reach, we will be sad without knowing the reason for our sadness. The reason remains embedded deep within us which is that deep inside we become totally lonely. We lose the only thing we had – Our true identity. That identity of ours that wanted to do the things that really mattered to us and made us truly happy. And the fact that we probably won’t ever be able to revert and go back to it makes us deeply disturbed and disappointed.

When To Use Comparisons?

When To Use Comparisons?

So what do we do? Shall we get rid of comparisons altogether or is there any scope of using it for some specific purposes? Comparisons are mostly disadvantageous for us but they do prove to be of importance in a couple of cases. 

The first case where comparisons are useful is using comparisons to know the truths of the physical world, which we also talked about earlier. We need to know the exact features and functions of everything. We need to be well-acquainted with different situations so that we know how to deal with them expertly. And we also need to know about people around us. We need to know who are the people who are truly our close ones and what kind of people they are. We also need to know how to deal with people who are not so close to us and who may even harm us in any way. So, comparisons are important in understanding and using the mechanics of the physical world so as to become able to survive and thrive here. 

The second case where comparisons are useful is in making important decisions. Based on the knowledge and information we gathered using comparisons, we have to take important decisions in life. For example, we can only trust a close family member with our money and life. We are certain that they will definitely help us in times of need. So, comparisons prove to be utilitarian only in the cases of educating ourselves with the basics of the physical world and in making important decisions in life. In every other case, comparisons will make us miserable irrespective of what we gain out of it. This is because physical gains can never compensate for our spiritual wellness. Money cannot buy peace, happiness and freedom in the true sense!

How Not To Compare?

How Not To Compare?

Now the questions arises that how do we get rid of comparisons in all the other cases? To do this, we need to keep the use of comparisons to the minimum in our lives. This is not as difficult as it seems. 

What we need to do is not to use our knowledge of the physical world consciously for our own petty short-term benefits but let it get used naturally for the purpose of making important decisions in life. When we really need to use the knowledge extracted out of comparisons, we will be able to use it. But we should never use comparisons as a way to ‘grow’ as it’s a trap that has no opening or hope. Once you get into it, you get trapped in it for life. 

Comparisons Are A Trap

Comparisons Are A Trap!

There is no coming out or back from the addiction of comparisons. One comparison will lead to another and another and so on as it will give you small dozes of ‘benefits’. It’s like an addictive trap. And even if you realize that it’s a trap, you won’t be able to come back because it takes enormous efforts, dedication and work to go backwards to your true self by unlearning comparisons. Whenever you will feel that you need to go back to your true self, your addiction to compare will give you a hard time and will eventually make you stay. It will make you choose the easy option of comparing yourself to others and keep ‘growing’ in installments. It will make you a slave and never let you attain your true potential. 

Conclusion : Be Unique, Be Original!

The best way to grow is to be unique, promote it & keep building on it. Originality is an essential component of excellence. Until your ideas are your own which have originated from deep within you, you will not be able to connect with those ideas naturally which will always keep you limited in life. So, do pick the good things around you but never make comparisons a template for your growth in life. And if you really want to compare yourself to something then compare yourself with Nature & the Universe. At least it will keep you going infinitely without any roadblocks. But the best advice would still be to stay free. Uniqueness and originality not only gives us our biggest possible success but it also helps us attain the highest level of pleasantness and happiness for ourself in our lives! So, shun comparisons and choose originality!

Be Unique, Be Original!