Health & Medical Self-Improvement

If You"re Going to Compare, Just Play Fair

What actually happens within your mind as you wander through the art gallery with your friends looking at the beautiful artistic paintings, the drawings, the sketches, the oil on canvas, and the strikingly beautiful mosaics? As an artist yourself, you instantly compare your drawing or painting skills to those in the exhibit.
It is human nature to compare our skills to others in the same arena.
However, sometimes we may tend to compare our weaknesses to somebody else's strengths.
It is only fair and healthy to compare apples to apples, so to speak, but what if you are comparing apples to oranges? What then? People who compare apples to oranges are treading on dangerous territory in regards to their self esteem.
Unfortunately most of those people who do this are not even aware they are doing it.
The opening scenario in the art gallery compares apples to apples.
You, as an artist may compare your skills to the exhibit, but depending on your self esteem and how comfortable you are with your own artistic skills, you yourself determine where you stand.
If you are plagued with low self esteem, you may find yourself telling your friends that your art work is worthless.
You may even make a comment to the effect that you're wasting your money, time, and energy on supplies that don't even bring satisfactory results, much less make it to an art exhibit! On the other hand, if you have a healthy self esteem, you may find yourself telling your friends that this art exhibit has inspired you.
You tell them that you are going to set yourself a goal to improve your artwork and that someday your art work will be displayed in this very art gallery! The art gallery is only one example of how we may tend to make comparisons, the list is endless in life matters, whether it's your appearance, your skills, your intellect, your possessions, or even your educational level.
Never, ever compare your weaknesses to someone else's strengths.
In all fairness to you, here are three important keys to carry with you to use when the comparison button lights up on the dashboard of your mind.
In any given specific area: 1.
Give yourself credit for what you have.
If you think someone has way more money than you do, give yourself credit for the money you do have.
2.
Praise yourself for what you have accomplished today.
If you think somebody is better looking than you, praise yourself for taking the time to groom and care for yourself today.
3.
Acknowledge your strengths.
If you're artistic and think someone is more artistic than you; acknowledge your strengths in your own art work.
Realistically, there will always be someone better looking, richer, taller, better skilled, smarter, and even more artistic than you or me.
So remember, as mentioned before, it is human nature to make comparisons in many areas of our lives, and for some of us it is inevitable.
So if you're going to compare, play fair and compare apples to apples.

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