Posted by Racer on October 14, 2007, at 3:30:37
In reply to I felt like giving up tonight, posted by Deneb on October 13, 2007, at 23:02:38
Hey, Deneb. Wanna compare yourself with me? First off, in most every sense you can think of, you're far and away ahead of me. But let's try some of the obvious things:
My full adult height was 5'8.75" tall. Wouldn't you like to be tall like that? Probably you would -- because I certainly always wanted to be about 4'11"!
My red hair is wavy, and waves into shapes if I don't blow it dry. I'll bet you've got straight hair, right? And I'll bet you've always wanted wavy hair -- because I always wanted stick straight hair!
I could go on, but I won't bother. I'm just trying to show that there are two sides to a lot of those comparisons. There's even a poem about it, by A. E. Housman:
OH fair enough are sky and plain,
But I know fairer far:
Those are as beautiful again
That in the water are;
The pools and rivers wash so clean
The trees and clouds and air,
The like on earth was never seen,
And oh that I were there.
These are the thoughts I often think
As I stand gazing down
In act upon the cressy brink
To strip and dive and drown;
But in the golden-sanded brooks
And azure meres I spy
A silly lad that longs and looks
And wishes he were I.Here's some advice for you, Deneb:
Don't compare yourself with others. You're not better, nor worse, than others -- you're different. If you feel like making any comparisons, make them against yourself. Compare where you were, say, two years ago, with where you are now. Compare how much insight you've gained with where you were then.
You're doing very well, Deneb. Just remember that there has to be some sadness, in order for happiness to be appreciated.
poster:Racer
thread:789097
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20071009/msgs/789115.html