Are you happy?
How do you know?
How can you begin to differentiate happiness from the other emotions if there were no comparison?
You would feel the disparity in your overall demeanor and certain things would make you feel elevated, whereas other things would make you feel depressed.
As soon as we allow an external variable into our thought process (such as the feelings of a third-party), we are quick to instantly recognize the differential that exists between both and suddenly our entire perspective about that which we are already experiencing can be subject to a significant swing of emotion.
This emotion is triggered by comparison. Suddenly we may not feel happy enough, wealthy enough, beautiful enough, capable enough, etc.
When we allow ourselves to recognize the disparities, we might feel elated about certain variables and discouraged by others. If we were alone in a black vortex in which we had never seen or heard another human being would we be as disappointed?
How would we be capable of making assessments about ourselves? If we, ourselves, are exactly whom we are, how then are we able to distinguish unique qualities about ourselves if we are the only basis for comparison?
As soon as we are able to measure and compare, we are all the more awakened to the differential between us and those around us. This can give way to both positive and negative emotions, but, at the end of the day, what we are really understanding is that we are unique and as a direct consequence, individualized.
If you are feeling joy about whom you are, and, whom you are maturing to become, looking towards the future with neutrality towards comparison, may prove to be one of your strongest resources. Happy Sunday!
Brian Weiner 