Welcome to the Blog Hop Comparison: Thief of Joy? where bloggers from all over the world are invited to share their ideas about Theodore Roosvelt’s quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Do you agree or disagree with Teddy’s POV? Please share your unique perspective.
There are 3 easy steps to join the Blog Hop:
1. Follow the instructions for submitting your entry using the Linky provided below – remember to copy and paste the link to your specific ‘comparison’ post, not just your blog, into the Linky.
2. Copy and paste the following announcement (with links) into the intro to your blog post:
Linking in to the Comparison Blog Hop on Dangerous Linda and Everyday Gyaan.
Linking in to the Comparison Blog Hop on Dangerous Linda and Everyday Gyaan.
3. Be sure to read and comment on other bloggers’ posts in the hop. It’s a great way to get to know each other and expand our cyber-community of awesome writers and thinkers.
Thanks Linda and Corinne for starting this conversation on: Is Comparison The Thief Of Joy? It's really interesting to compare (!) your two different takes on the question. I think comparison is a natural process that everyone does almost unconsciously. As Linda says, we are constantly noticing the patterns, the contrasts in our lives. The bigger question to me is what do we do with the information once we get it? When we compare ourselves or our children or our friends, or anyone to someone else and recognize that one is smarter, prettier, skinnier, more sensitive, more outgoing, more gifted than another, what do we do with that information? If we use it to form a judgement and and a 'should' in our lives then we are creating a negative environment. Nothing good comes out of a comparison where one individual feels devalued and less than another. On the other hand, if we use the information to celebrate who we are and who those around us are... then the comparison can be useful. We must always recognize the strengths of an individual and encourage them in those areas. God created us all as unique and special in our own way. When we use comparison to bring someone down or to feel one up on someone else, then we are misusing the information. When we use the information to celebrate who we are and the differences that we all have, then we are encouraging, empowering and inspiring others to be the best they can be.
Here's a quote from Dr. Seuss: "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" I think we all can stand out in some way and we must celebrate those differences!
Thanks for joining the hop, Lynne. What we do with the information comparisons bring us is key. I like how you've put it so succinctly and yet so clearly.
ReplyDeleteI love what you said here, Lynne! So many times, comparing ourselves to others can lead to jealousy and negative feelings if we don't value the gifts we already have. I agree - it's all in how we use the information we get.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Hi, Lynne! ~
ReplyDeleteI wonder why so many people presume that when I compare myself to someone else, who may be better at something than me, it is destined to be a negative, devaluing experience for me.
Within the past 24 hours I have compared myself to Abraham Lincoln, Jesus, a certain blog writer I admire, a certain blog writer for whom I have disdain, Oprah Winfrey, and many more.
Personally, I find comparisons helpful to keep me moving toward my ultimate goals. I want to behave in ways that are more like people whom I admire, and less like people I do not admire.
Thank you for joining the Comparison Blog Hop and sharing your ideas on this interesting topic ;-)
@ Corinne--Thanks for the comment. I think comparisons are only negative if we allow them to be. We can always learn from the experience.
ReplyDelete@Martha--I also believe that valuing our own abilities and not looking for confirmation in our worth through others is so important!
@Linda---I think that most people assume that comparisons are negative because that is how most comparisons work for them. One person is better in some way than another. To consider comparisons as neutral and a way to grow and change takes practice! It takes changing the usual perception. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteI love your last quote from Dr. Suess. I think people are afraid of differences instead of appreciating what make us, and others, unique and beautiful. I found your blog through the hop. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteLynne, I love the quote by Dr. Seuss, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" I just learned this week that he was an introvert. Most would imagine such a colorful genius to be an extrovert. But no, he hid himself most of the time behind his desk and wrote.
ReplyDeleteLove your take on comparison: why not celebrate our differences instead of judge? What wisdom!
This blog hop has given me food for thought. I am still not fond of this word for many reason listed by others and myself.
ReplyDeleteAs different as we are... so are our strengths and like you I would rather focus on that then compare it to the intensity of what was/who and what is/now.
I had another thought that if we had to compare our self to another then are we not loosing our organic identity ?
We are all different from one another...we realize that we are unique when we are through comparing...that is after our teen years where comparison is at it peak. Loved the quote. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting question...What do we do with the information? I believe that would determine, whether or not, comparison is the thief of joy. Very nicely written :)
ReplyDelete@ sweepy jean-I love Dr Seuss's quotes too
ReplyDelete@ Debra--An introvert? amazing! i guess he was an extrovert through his work:)
thanks for the comments.
@saviragupta---i think we definitely lose our identity when we compare ourselves to other and try to change or imitate what others expect us to be. Dr. Seuss was right... Why fit in when you were born to stand out? And maybe born to stand out as an introvert as Debra pointed out that he was. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDelete@janaki nagaraj Oh yes those teen years are the worst!! Hopefully as adults we learn to use comparison in different ways... to help ourselves rather than to hurt
ReplyDelete@Mary Hudak-Collins--thanks so much for commenting...
Lynne as Corinne said, in a very brief way you brought out the key to this whole blog hop. What we do with this information and by doing how we celebrate ourselves and those around us. Beautiful.
ReplyDeletehttp://rimlybezbaruah.blogspot.in/2012/02/lingering.html
Very beautiful quote, thank you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Dr. Seuss. great piece here.
ReplyDeleteHello Lynne.
ReplyDeleteIf we all just accepted our own uniqueness, I'm sure there would be a better balance in the world. I enjoyed your thoughts on this topic. Loved the Dr. Seuss quote.
Thanks for sharing.
Great post....isn't it a shame that we all can't just accept each other for who we are....I see how people react to me ..look at me and shun me...I am not perfect but I try very hard to accept someone for who they are , where they are...why should anyone be judged...that's God's job....not mine....As always...XOXOXOXOX
ReplyDeletehttp://bongoisme.blogspot.com/2012/03/comparison-thief-of-joy_01.html#axzz1okUsxRDs
@Rimly, Thanks for the comment. We all naturally compare but it is certainly a choice how we respond to others and what we look to compare. Celebrating each of our strengths nurtures each of us.
ReplyDelete@Jan and Andy... I love Dr Seuss too! What a gift for communicating he had!
@ Bongo---You are so right! God is the one to judge not us. However, we could learn much from God's accepting each of us a we are, unique as he made us. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDelete