I remember how hard it was to look at my old relatives who suffer from arthritis. How they showed so much pain even with simple walking. Well, I know how that feels, in a way. It's like suffering from tonsilitis--man, I don't like that! Swallowing even a brush of water means another "aray" or "ouch" waiting to be uttered, or should I say, "shouted". But the most excruciating of them all is appendicitis. Not that I had one (I really hope I don't get one any time soon or even in my lifetime; that's scary); my brother had this. I saw him curl like a caterpillar--that truly explains the pain!
But another disease is slowly getting more and more people feel so much pain; they would rather be somebody else! Yes, let me call it COMPARISONITIS. I had symptoms of this but thank God He knew I needed some capsules of grace to fight its roots.
Comparisonitis is rampant nowadays in this society molded more by media than any generation in the history of man! It has hit both men and women, young and old, the rich and the poor, the learned and the less educated, the artistic and the athletic, the loud and the quiet, and every body else in this planet. In fact, it has beaten colds as the most communicable and common disease man has ever acquired. What's wrong with it? The answer is easy! Try to compare yourself starting from your closest buddy, the television and you'll see what I mean.
Yes, many of us have been so enamored by the fact that other people's lives are better than us. That if we were only as rich as Bill Gates, we do not have to window shop in the mall again. That if we were only as famous as Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, we will not doubt that our existence matters. That if we were only as perfect as what our selfish self desires, we will not feel dejected anymore. Whooh! But no! We could not be anybody else but us. So no matter how we try to compare and even imitate others just so we can be "happy"; we will never succeed because there is only one you, "you" and one me, "me" created by our God.
So what is the point I am trying to come across? I have seen a lot of tears shed and lives ruined by letting Comparisonitis blossom to envy and covetousness. What's wrong with being number 2? What's wrong with having a not-so-high-paying job? What's wrong with a not-so-flawless skin? Will these things have to be our measure of being a person? Definitely not.
Nevertheless, do not get me wrong. I did not say that trying to be the best will make you worthy of condemnation. What I am saying is that--trying to compare, get too dissatisfied with ourselves, and then embrace envy and covetousness are sure symptoms of Comparisonitis that can lead even the most blessed person into his or her own jungle of despair and discontentment. Why? Because a person with Comparisonitis dedicates his or her attention to what he or she lacks; not what he or she already have. For example, the air that we breathe? Or the roof of our house? Or our not so curvy but healthy body?I'd like to share this insight to everyone who will have the chance to read this blog--STOP COMPARING! You will only make yourself less of a person. Instead, START LOVING. Thank God for everything you have including your not-so-perfect nose and not-so silky hair; or maybe your not-so-muscular body and not-to-tall height! Well, you have beautiful spirit within you! No imperfection nor innate disease can ever exist in a place where righteousness is abound.
