Comparisons

I am not sure who said it but there is a quote that goes something like "Comparison is the thief of joy.".  How true is that!!  If we are constantly comparing ourselves to others and coming up less than them, how can we be happy or proud?

There is this lovely Mom that I run into fairly frequently since our kids attend the same schools and play basketball at the Y.  She is very kind, nice and pretty.  She seems to always have her hair done and make-up applied.  Her kids always look sharp and orderly.  I really do like her but man, am I jealous.  I find myself wishing that I had it together like her.  She never seems rushed and I envy that.

I often find myself thinking "Why can't I be more like her?"  And from there I begin feeling that I'm less and then get down on myself.   It's a vicious cycle that I get wrapped in too often.  I've been trying to break it by realizing some pretty important points:

• I'm human and not perfect.  
• That other Mom is human and not perfect.  I see her for a few short moments.  I put a lot of weight into those short moments.
• I have a full-time career.  She is a stay-at-home Mom.  I'm not saying her job is easy, because it's not.  I think the difference between us is that I often have conference calls scheduled right up to the time I have to rush out of the door.  And sometimes I work an insane  number of hours and I choose sleep over make-up and hair.
• My boys are dreamers and a bit hard to stay focused because of it.  There is nothing wrong with this.  I need to let them be boys and be themselves.
• I have never been completely organized.  I'm working on it but there's definitely room for improvement.
• I am a procrastinator.  
• I don't sweat the small stuff.  

This list isn't a list of good or bad things about me.  It's just a list of how I operate and who I am.  The point is that I'm comparing myself to a woman who is different and has a different life.  What point is there to this comparison?  It's not apples to apples and unfair to me.  

Remembering this list and thinking about the things I'm really good at help give me perspective.  And just think, there is probably someone out that comparing themselves to me and thinking I have it all together.  While I may have it better than some, the thing is that it's not a contest and as long as I'm happy and my family is happy and I'm taking care of my business, I'm good.  No, scratch that.  I'm better than good.