Want to make yourself upset? Try Googling celebrities’ net worth. Whenever the thought comes to me, I will look up some irrelevant public figure’s net worth, and then proceed to feel a little bit bad that my net worth is but a fraction of theirs. I know it doesn’t make sense, but that doesn’t always me from being irrational. Not by a long shot!
In the magnificent TV show Mad Men, Betty tells her brother to ‘stop counting other people’s money’. This line has really stuck with me, and my boyfriend and I sometimes quote it as a reminder to stick on your own path and not listen to distractions. Honestly, that is the one thing that can derail anyone: comparisons with others.
How much money other people have has absolutely no bearing on my current situation, or my potential to improve my situation. None whatsoever. My boyfriend is great at reminding me of this, as I can tend to get a little over-emotional and lose sight of logic sometimes. I think this happens a lot in our society, and is part of the reason why Bali was so refreshing. Everyone needs to make a living and get by, but there seems to be such a focus here on materialism and being the best. My best friend and I were talking about our high school the other day, and how it focused primarily on those students who were the ‘best’. It is a common theme in the 21st century, and I think I would benefit from steering clear from it.
The book I am reading, The New Psycho-Cybernetics, is great for helping with this issue. This is because it is so clear, understandable and practical, but also because it helps to know that you and I are not alone in feeling the ways we do. Today I am going to focus on those things that I do have, and appreciate them as they should be appreciated. Because I have so much, and I know I am so lucky.
The funny thing is, once we let go of these comparisons, we are then able to become our best self. This isn’t possible when we are stuck in the ‘comparison spiral’, because you can never be the absolute best when everyone is so different. But by focusing on your own life and your own goals, and not peering over at your neighbour’s fence, you empower yourself to be who you want to be.
And there is no greater feeling than that!