The Paradox of Comparison

 In today’s world, it's easy to feel like we’re falling behind when we see other people's success stories on social media or hear about them in conversations. It often feels like everyone else is achieving great things, and we’re just stuck. This feeling is like walking through a maze, where every turn shows us someone else’s achievements, making us feel smaller by comparison. 

When we compare our lives to others, we stop seeing the good in our own lives and only see what we think we’re missing.

But here's the thing - life isn't about being happy all the time. It's like the weather; some days are sunny, and others are rainy. Expecting to always be happy is like expecting the sun to shine 24/7. Life is full of different experiences and emotions, and that's what makes it rich and interesting. As the Indian saying goes, "जीवन एक उत्सव है, इसे हर पल जिओ" (Life is a festival, live it every moment), reminding us to find joy in the simple things and embrace every part of life, not just the happy moments.

Insecurity in our relationships often comes from this constant comparison. We worry we’re not as good as others, which can make us doubt our worth in our friendships and romantic relationships. It's like when you see a friend getting a lot of attention on social media, and you start wondering if you’re as likable as they are. But everyone’s journey is different, and it's important to remember, as Abdul Kalam, a respected figure in India, once said, "You have to dream before your dreams can come true." This means focusing on our path and goals, rather than getting sidetracked by what others are doing.

Let's consider the story of two friends, Arjun and Vivek. Arjun always looked at Vivek’s achievements - a good job, a nice car, and a happy family - and felt like he was lagging behind because he had a less paying job and lived in a smaller house. But Arjun didn't see the struggles Vivek went through to get there, the late nights, the sacrifices, and the times when Vivek felt lost himself. Arjun didn’t see that his own journey, filled with kindness, helping his family, and his passion for painting, was also valuable. When Arjun realized this, he started appreciating his own life which is more like a blessing, focusing on his art, which eventually led him to start a successful online business selling his paintings. See, everyone’s path is unique, and success and happiness mean different things to different people.

Please remember, social media is a myth. The celebrities and people who show and talk about their life are actually dealing with a lot of problems that they don’t showcase online. What we see is just the highlight reel - the successes, the smiles, and the seemingly perfect moments. Behind these curated feeds are real struggles, challenges, and moments of doubt, just like the ones we all face. It's easy to forget that social media is a skewed window into someone's life, showing us only what they choose to share. Just like a movie, it's edited, scripted, and often far from the full story. Instead of letting these curated images define our self-worth or dictate our happiness, we should focus on our own journey, acknowledging and accepting our ups and downs. Life is all about finding meaning and joy in our own experiences, learning from our mistakes, and growing through our challenges. 

Embracing our journey, with its ups and downs, is key to finding peace. It’s about knowing that it's okay to feel lost or unhappy at times. By stepping away from comparing our lives to others and instead, focusing on our own path, we can begin to appreciate our life for what it is. As Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel laureate from India, beautifully said, "Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf." This encourages us to live in the moment, enjoy the little things, and find joy in our own journey, not someone else’s.

In the end, it’s not about being better than others or achieving more. It's about finding happiness in our own story, recognizing that every experience, good or bad, teaches us something valuable. It's about understanding that our worth isn't measured by our achievements compared to others, but by the courage we show in facing life's challenges and the joy we find in the simple moments.

Always remember,

"जिंदगी की इस दौड़ में, हर किसी का अपना सफ़र है,

फिर क्यूँ देख किसी को, खुद पे शक का गुबार है।

ऐ बंदे अपनी राह पे चल, तेरी मंजिल तेरे इंतज़ार में है,

मत कर तुलना अपनी, किसी और के संघर्ष से,

तू खुद अपनी कहानी का नायक, अपने सपनों की उड़ान में है।"

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