Apples and Oranges

             Comparison is the thief of joy.  This simple saying is one of the most challenging truths I have faced myself with recently.  As a young woman, in the media saturated society in which I exist, comparison is occurring in my mind almost constantly.  This week several of the readings deal with comparison and envy either explicitly or implicitly. 

lacking the body of Kate Upton
and love life of Cinderella or Allie
doesn't make me a cat lady

            Envy is not only wanting good for yourself but resenting the good of others.  If you really think about that, about this sin that I am guilty of on a regular basis, it is really a shameful act.  We are called to love one another and love is never jealous; love is wanting and doing what is best for the other person at all times.  Comparison is the thief of joy and envy is the thief of love.

            I spend my days, like many girls my age, watching chick flicks, listening to pop music, reading Nicholas Sparks type books, building my expectations unattainably high, and crying myself to sleep because I am a spinster at the ripe old age of 20 (OK, I’m not that bad…most of the time).  I look at other girls who seem to have it all together and I see only what I lack and I dig myself into a hole of misery.  I ignore all the good in my own life, and the beauty of joy in the lives of others.  I allow comparison to steal my joy.

            On Tuesday in the Gospel the apostles are arguing amongst themselves about which is the greatest.  Jesus says to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”  These men were best friends arguing over which one of them was the greatest. Even when I look at girls and women who are my friends and whom I admire, envy still pricks my heart.  I find it hard to be completely and undividedly happy for another person.  Even as I typed that sentence I hadn't realized how true that is.  I can’t really remember the last time I heard about something fabulous happening to another person and I didn't even have the thought cross my mind that I was somehow outdone.  That really is sad.  I am happy for other people’s successes I am not saying that I am some heartless “mean girl” who wants to rule the world and be queen bee, but I am saying that I have an irrational fear of not being the best.  The best at what? Who is the best?  Will I ever be the best?  Is there even such a thing as “the best”?   

            This is what I really love about this blog you guys, it gives me a chance to examine myself.  I want to change, I want to be happy, for myself, and for others.  So yes, comparison is the thief of joy.  My challenge is to overcome the temptation to compare myself to others.  I am who I am, you are who you are, we are children of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, and that my friends is not only good enough: it is the best! 

             Do any of you share my fear of not being #1?  How do you curb your temptations to compare?  What is going on in your life? I would really love to hear from some of you! Comments? Questions  Suggestions?  Drop me a line in the comments below!