Bit-of-Joy #21

Comparison is the thief of joy. – Theodore RooseveltToday's quote originally popped out at me as a given. Of course, comparing ourselves, our lives, our belongings, our gifts to others robs us of joy because someone will always be or have more or better. FOMO, keeping up with the Joneses, the grass is always greener...Comparing is the root of all misery, right? Maybe not.Let me explain....Comparing might be a motivating factor: "If he/she/it/they can -- maybe, just maybe, I can, too."This doesn't mean I lose my joy - because my joy isn't outside of myself but resides within me - in acceptance of what is, in hope of what is yet to come.Rather than comparing myself to someone who is living the life I want - whether it be physical, emotional, financial, social, spiritual, etc - and putting myself down because I am not yet 'there', I can compare myself and know that more, different, better is POSSIBLE.Like most anything else in life, it is not the comparing that robs me of joy but what I do with, or how I respond to, the comparison...So today I invite you to compare and carry on.Can you remember a time when comparing yourself to another led to a moment of joy?