The Comeback Kid

I thought a lot about what my first post should be. Maybe an introductory message about how ecstatic I am to have created this page or that no matter how small this blog may be, that it fills me with so much happiness I could burst…. Then I thought to myself, who wants to read about a ghost of a person typing on the internet. So let’s get to the real meat of the matter.

Today’s topic is the quote “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

This was quoted to me by my coworker, **bleep**. (And no that wasn’t me bleeping out his name for secret’s sake. That was me cussing at him for always being right. Which is truly his most annoying quality)

When I was told this expression I really sat with it. And I hope that if you haven’t heard it, that you also decide to sit in a dark room and question yourself for an hour or so before deciding your hunger out weighed greater wisdom.

In all seriousness, this is a quote I have to remind myself of far too often. I find myself constantly comparing my career path to my friends, former classmates, and even my own coworkers. I feel the jealousy and disappointment boil inside at their success. But who am I to think that way?

Just like me, they worked hard for their success. Even if they happen to be a trust fund baby, whose life seems perfectly catered too. (Cue eye roll) Which I add, because I know a couple of those, and I am currently still waiting on my family to surprise me with the knowledge that we’re millionaires too… I think I’ll be waiting on that one for a while though.

Today I found myself needing this quote as a reminder. The companion I often pair it with is that no matter how perfect someone’s life may seem, everyone has something just beneath the surface that they are fighting too. Life just brings people different battles. Some more obvious and some so discreet the wind doesn’t even carry their secret. Back in high school a girl had told me to wipe the smile off my face, that not everyone had a perfect life like me. At the time, I was going through hell at home and I thought to myself ‘sorry next time I will be a **bleep** like your stanky self.’ Instead I smiled at her again. (That’s right kill em with kindness just like Selena sings)

There will be times where you will know these expressions and be able to repeat them to yourself and the mantras still don’t work. Where the green itch of jealousy pokes angrily at your throat. And that’s okay too.

Everything we feel just reminds us how human we are. My suggestion is to turn that energy into something you want to make of yourself.

Earlier, I couldn’t quell my thoughts and I walked tomato-faced over to the gym and kept walking until anger lifted its knee off my chest. Do what makes you feel alive, don’t sit in it for too long. I did that, it tore me a part, and I am just now building myself back up.

Don’t let comparison rob you of your happiness.

YOU earned that, no one else can say that.