From 'bitter' to 'better' without comparison....

From 'bitter' to 'better' without comparison....

Social media may have made the world a small place but there is a danger of it shrinking our hearts. We are all caught up on looking good and feeling good on facebook, instagram, twitter.
Day in and out we see stories of success, adept cooking, perfect management of homes and wonderful relationships. There seems to be no room for imperfection. In fact sharing of negative thoughts appears to be  a challenge. Hardly any one shares their worries or anxieties. This maybe due to the fear of being seen as misfits.
Honestly many people may definitely feel inadequate on seeing so much perfection and also having to cope with it. The sword of comparison constantly dangles over our heads on every step. We end up comparing ourselves, our children, our homes, our vehicles, our mobile phones, in fact every single thing with others. This despite knowing the fact that each one of us is different.
A rose can never be a sunflower and the sunflower can never be a rose. Each of them is unique and has their own good qualities. It is in us to bloom just like the flowers which never think of competing with each other.
I confess, there have been times when I have been caught unawares in the web of comparisons but as years rolled by,  experience has taught me that whatever happens, happens  for our good.
I have learnt and I believe that I am person by myself and cannot be compared to others. The life which I lead, the things which I do are related to myself and cannot be compared to others.
Martha Green, a very renowned ballet dancer from the United States of  America has said that, "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it."
She clearly meant that each one of us is unique and cannot be compared to another. Unfortunately we end up doing just that most of the times not realizing that it can be the sole cause of our worries.
Martha also said that it not your business to determine how good you are nor how valuable nor how you compare with other expressions. Your business is to keep yourself and your channels open clearly and directly. It was not even important to believe in yourself or your work. All you have to do is to keep yourself open and
aware to the urges that motivate you.
No artist is pleased or ever satisfied with himself or herself. It is this queerly divine dissatisfaction and the blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.
You can be driven only by your own passion. What people in the world think of you is really none of your business. And so it is important to steer clear of comparisons and do the tasks assigned to you in the best way possible.
Simply put forth it is very much based on the philosophy of the 'nishkam karm' in the Bhagwat Gita goading us into action without any expectations. Our only concern is to do the work without comparing ourselves to others. Comparison with one's self brings improvement and comparison with others leads to discontent.  So don't become bitter by comparing yourself with others just become better by competing with yourself.