We often compare ourselves with others. Why? Many people fail to ask deeper questions and many adhere to the same, antiquated ways and beliefs. Why would you measure yourself according to such parameters? Many primarily act from conceptual programming and not with the heart. Most look via separation and psychological distance. Success, in a rather insane world, may not really be success at all. Comparison often invites judgment, fear, competition, and imitation. Please consider being beyond those kinds of shenanigans.
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Pros and cons of comparison … I opine that the intention of it is more important… 😊
Yes but most of us overdo it… (i.e., compare too habitually). 😉
I agree…😅
Gosh Tom, such an exquisite photo – as for comparisons – well aren’t they quite deadly? Whenever I get caught by ‘not good enough’ I don’t even realize I’m comparing myself…. ugh… still do it….what comes back to me is the adolescent “why can’t you be like… so and so… ” that kind of garbage rises up at the worst of times.
Yes, Sara, we were all over-conditioned to compare all too often. It really is rather a waste of time and energy. It invites competition and childish measurement. Many of us do it unconsciously and habitually.
It’s cold here again. But on earlier, warmer days, the robins and bugs were out in huge numbers! 😊
20 inches of snow coming our way – and brutal winds too – but before dawn the birds were deafening as they dove into the feeders and pecked at seed on the ground… they know what’s coming….self doubt is a killer bringing on that horrible comparing – YUK – do it and can’t stand what I do but do I stop??? Not without awareness and even then….hard to believe had bare ground a few days ago – last storm covered us in that white shroud that is hard to take! Hopefully no snow for you!
Sara, we are supposed to get snow tonight (mixed with rain); it won’t amount to anything. Sorry about all the snow that you are getting! Rain and dropping night temperatures affect my arthritis.
Oh Tom, getting old is not easy – like you these sudden changes create bone aches in places that aren’t even stressed or were broken at some point…The wind is still – after three days of roaring – so the snow is coming quietly – that white shroud is endless – at least I have a symphony of birds that are coming to the feeders that are undercover! I’ll snowshoe paths instead of shoveling so my little dogs can still get out! Thought of you the other night – a butterfly webinar – the usual boring stuff you could read in a book (why do the ‘experts’ do this (?) but oh the images were almost as good as some of yours – and I learned something interesting – we all know about the monarch and all butterfly decline… but nature is resilient and some monarchs are now wintering year round in the south instead of migrating – maybe this strategy will help them survive a bit longer – and who knows the other butterflies are probably developing strategies too – god if we would just stop interfering and give nature a chance!
I can’t believe how many fewer Monarchs there are since just a few years ago. Sad but i sure hope they continue and don’t go extinct. I watched Avatar- Way of Water today and in it Jake said that humans don’t care of their Great Mother (i.e., mother earth). So true for many of us. Kind of makes one ashamed to be human at times. I sure hope that things warm up soon in your area so that the critters will be happier. 😉
I never hear that anyone feels shame about being human – but I do at times – we got almost three feet of snow – too deep for this old person to navigate on snowshoes but had to – for my dogs – now there will snow on the ground til May -am so sick of that white shroud – I feel so separate from the earth all winter long – n need bare ground – most humans are only interested in using the earth – not loving her – you and I are two exceptions.
think those little guys are Mycenas…
Love the photo
Glad you appreciate it, syrettp! 😁
Yes, Tom, comparison may well be the root of all evil. Lovely pic!
Well, Harini, i see “evil” as being limited, ignorant, mechanicalness (psychologically)… which then projects out into the world and society. Comparison may not the root of ignorance but it likely is a result of it (and it can — among other things — contribute to more of ignorance and the perpetuation of ignorance). A profound, holistic intelligence is beyond “evil.” There are different forms of intelligence, and we are not (here) referring to the memorization/remembering kind. 😉
Thank you about the pic!
I didn’t mean evil in the Christian sense, Tom – I don’t believe in that – but in the sense of bad things happening. And yes, that is very often due to ignorance.
Ah, yes, i see, Harini. Here is Illinois, there’s a lot of the Christian sense of evil. Bad things sure do arise from over-comparing and from constantly measuring oneself according to others. 😉
We have to think more of ourselves than to feel inferior and feel the need to rise above others. I think we begin making these comparisons at an early age. The adult and juvenile mushrooms are cute Tom … you could have just as easily used them for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Everything looks so green and lush after we are a 19 F windchill and had two minor bouts of snow today.
Thanks about the mushrooms, Linda. The largest of those mushrooms has around a quarter of an inch diameter for it’s umbrella-top. We haven’t gotten any snow here and today was mostly sunny. Nice warm spring weather, though, will surely be welcomed! 😉
I forget that the macros lens magnifies the size so much – how delicate and dainty these mushrooms are! The weather was cold but sunny, with no snow in our area. Thankful for that – even with a warmer Winter, we need Spring to arrive.
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Comparison also brings out dishonesty when we’re not aware of our reasons for compare.
Yes, sometimes that is so, Astrid… like when compares races (of people) while all the while unconsciously thinking that one’s own race is superior.
Well stated. Bravo!
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comparison also brings hatred and breakage
This reminds me vaguely of the poem “Desiderata.” Anyone else feel this way?
Beautifully presented photo, Tom!
Tom, you nailed it! Why indeed tether ourselves to the yardstick of others’ journeys? Your call to action, to step beyond the shadows of comparison and judgement, really resonates. It’s a fresh reminder to embrace our unique paths with heart over habit. Here’s to dodging those shenanigans and crafting success on our own terms!
Great insight, we are all on our own journey!