The Age of Comparison

Some might call it the age of social media, but I call it the age of comparison.  I know this is true because I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar. 

I fell into the ol’ comparison trap, startled when I felt a pang; a pang of jealousy.  I will be honest and open about exactly what happened.  But beware, jealousy is U-G-L-Y.

Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius. ~ Fulton J. Sheen 

I have a wonderful friend who has an outstanding blog.  She writes honestly and openly about life.  Her posts are humorous and witty and I LOVE reading her blog.  Lately I have spent a LOT of time on the computer. I spend a lot of time looking at inspirational blogs, potential courses (hello Anthony Robbins), and revel in the outstanding accomplishments of others.    Last week I wrote about feeling like I was treading water so to speak.  Like I was going though the motions but not moving anywhere. 

For months I have thought, I would really love to write for an online publication. I have enjoyed writing the blog and thanks to my late mother, I have a lot of ideas. 

Christine got published. Handling Guilt Gremlins.

My initial reaction makes me feel gross.  As soon as I saw that she had been published, I felt like my chance was gone, like someone had beaten me to it.  I felt jealous and jealousy isn’t just mental, it’s physical.  I felt like I had lost something that should have been mine. Ew, ew, ew.  What gross feelings.

This is the age of comparison my friends.  This is the age.

I am truly thrilled Christine got published; and she deserves it for a) writing great material; b) for putting herself out there to the online mag.; 3) for sharing her ideas and thoughts with the world; and 4) for being amazing.  

Facebook. Twitter. Blogs. Flicker.  LinkedIn. Youtube.

What's so special and unique about social media? It allows people to shine, to share and provides a platform to be amazing in the public eye, something that as children we may have been ostracized for.  Heaven forbid we were called the “Center of Attention.” 

Stars don't compete.  They don't look at the star beside them and pale with feelings of inadequacy. And only together, they light up the whole sky. 

It’s important to remember to use technology as a tool to propel us forward, and not to let it layer us with any more your not as good/funny/pretty/smart/ as …  or, you’re just not good enough, it’s already been done, s/he is the same age as me and has accomplished so much more.  WRONG.  That's comparison, and it's an ugly road to travel down.  

The killer in my sad tale of non-publication is this one … tomorrow I will, and oh, too late.

I am off to rectify that one.  ACTION: a six-letter word that makes all the difference in the world.