Making comparisons

By nature, I hate competing.

I gave up competitive hockey when I was 12.
I gave up rhythmic gymnastics when I was 15.
I gave up playing volleyball when I was 17.

I gave up not because I hated to lose – but because I couldn’t quite bear to swallow the fact that I couldn’t be number one. I compared myself to others all the time and if I couldn’t be number one, why bother at all?

Suffice to say, I grew up a lot since then. I thought long and hard about how I wanted to live my life, and came to realize that I didn’t want to do things in the name of oneupmanship.

So I did things that felt RIGHT, not right by society’s standards (let’s face it – it’s one big race there too.)

I lost a few battles and won a few too. I got a bit bolder and tried out things I normally wouldn’t (like quitting my job for Pikaland), and pushed my boundaries – and comfort zone – a little bit more everyday. The more I fell down and picked myself up in this big race, the more I realize that I’d very much prefer to play in the sandbox all by myself (you’re all invited, of course) instead of sprinting all the time.

It’s really exhausting to keep up in the long run anyway.

I’d rather build something that would be deeply satisfying in the long run as opposed to having a temporary medal hung around my neck.

Have a lovely Monday folks!

9 Replies to “Making comparisons”

  1. misha lulu says:

    You are so right! I pick myself up everyday and it is really tough! But we are fighting for something we are building 🙂 thank you for your words today!

  2. Marivic says:

    Just what I needed for today…thank you!!!

  3. Titia says:

    I’m so happy to know there are more people thinking like me out there. Thank you! I feel encouraged.

  4. Vajae says:

    Thank you!!! It’s mean a lot to me!

  5. Oh great post! I love the badder at the top! I need to have that on my wall to remind me daily to stop! Thank you for sharing something so personal, I think we all feel the same underneath it all, we just don’t want to admit it. Pikaland is awesome!

  6. John says:

    I’d love to join you in the sandbox but unfortunately at the moment it just doesn’t pay the bills.

  7. Carli says:

    These words couldn’t came in a better moment. This morning I was thinking about the same things… I need to concentrate more in my own road instead of comparing with others. Every road is so different, with different people, different obstacles. It’s so easy to think the life of another person is easy. But an easy life doesn’t exist, for anyone.

  8. I could not agree more! Carve your own path. It’s the only way to go 🙂

  9. sue-chan says:

    Great post! I find that the more I do more of my own art, the less I compare. In fact, the more art I do, the more I enjoy other people’s art!

    But, it’s a process and sometimes it takes time. So sometimes it’s tough.

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