The Pitfalls of Comparisons
Why does everyone dread reunions? Few people ever express elation and joy over going to reunions. Why?
The answer to why reunions are not at the top of the entertainment list is found in one word — comparison. Comparing your life and accomplishments to the lives and accomplishments of others is sometimes an uneasy task. Somewhere deep inside, you dread to see what Penelope “Most Likely to Have a Perfect Life Running a Major Computer Firm in New York City While Living in the Hamptons with Kent Randolph Windsor IX in a 16,753 Square Foot English Tudor with Jacuzzi and Maid” Madrigal has been up to.
Self-comparison is the age-old, hellish self-esteem question of “Will I measure up?” “Am I as good as Penelope?” “Why can't I …” Self-comparison involves two seemingly simple but highly complex words: worth and uniqueness.
“Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves.”
— Sydney Harris
