Comparing ourselves to others – We all do it, whether we recognize the danger or not.  In our society arguably filled with materialism and focusing on Self, we all fall prey to the natural tendency to see how we measure up compared to the next guy.  

The funny thing I have noticed is that this mental process of evaluating ourselves relative to others rarely leads to healthy outcomes. Here’s a short sampling of potential effects:

• We puff ourselves up with pride.  “I’m glad I’m not like that.” 
  
• We tear ourselves down.  “I wish I was more like that.”
  
• We let envy take up residence.  “She has it all together.”
  
• We fail to see beauty and uniqueness in others and ourselves.  “If only I could be like him.”
  
• We take our eyes off of God.   
  

I think we can agree that most often when we draw comparisons, someone ends up on the losing end.  Oddly enough, the one who “doesn't measure up” is not the real loser – it’s the one doing the comparing!  As a competitive person, I've spent a lifetime wanting to win.  I've laughed at this trait with friends and family but unfortunately, what can be fun and healthy in some environments can be destructive in others.  I've fostered some unhealthy thought patterns of judgment of others and myself.  Where do we go with that common urge to think thoughts of comparison that don’t serve us well?  Let me offer a few suggestions: 

1.    Start with God.  He is Our Creator.  He handcrafted and designed each of us uniquely and beautifully.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made!  Is your sister fabulously creative?  Praise God.  Do you have frizzy hair?  Praise God.  He chose certain attributes for each of us. Celebrate His creativity and design.    

2.    Turn comparing thoughts into prayers.  When you find yourself starting to wish you are like someone else or conversely glad you are not, STOP. Go to God and start the conversation with Him.  Ask him for help in transforming your mind to think with His thoughts toward others and yourself.

3.    Identify room for personal improvement through recurring comparisons.  Do you frequently notice others who are more organized?  Perhaps you should check out some books on the topic.  Do you repeatedly pick out the “skinny people” with a rush of envy and discouragement?  Maybe you've neglected exercise or healthy eating.  Take steps to become your best you.  And rest in your progress.

4.    Give compliments.  Instead of lusting over what others have or wishing it were yours, take time to tell someone what you see that is good.  Have you ever had your entire day boosted by the words of a friend or a stranger who took time to say something kind to you?  Do this and spread joy!

I’d love to hear about your struggles and triumphs in this area or your suggestions for change.  Feel free to leave a comment and let's discuss.

Finding joy together,

JJ

WELCOME!  Thank you, Bloggy Buddies (BB), for taking time to read my very first official blog post. I'm not gonna lie...I’m doing a little happy dance.  I've considered blogging for several years before taking this plunge.  No, I'm not really a writer as you may surmise after our first short conversation here -- but I am a thinker.   I've developed an itch, a small mission if you will, to share some of my conversations with others for a greater purpose.  

More on the specifics of that purpose later, but let’s talk Blogs for a minute.


Lord knows I love to read a good Blog.  I've enjoyed minutes turned to hours of absorbing content from home decorating blogs, financial blogs, funny blogs, and faith-based blogs.  All of this thought-provoking, add-fun-to-life, "WOW-look-at-that-cool-reno!”  blog reading got me wondering...

What if I could do this?  

Let me introduce my cloud of doubt, AKA my background.

I’m a Jesus Girl, CPA, Entrepreneur, Wife and Mom but perhaps most importantly, a work-in-progress.  Currently I’m trying not to be addicted to my phone, not to stay up too late and not to be late to anything.  I drive a 12 yr old minivan.  I don't wash bed sheets every week.  I could go on.

Additionally, I've recently embarked on a new professional journey of owning my own business.  I am the CEO of my own direct sales business, which has come with its own set of hesitations -- a post for another day.  The hubs and I have 2 teenagers with our 3rd kiddo standing at the edge. Oh, and we just remodeled. The kitchen.  And bathrooms.  With new flooring everywhere.  Did I mention my parents recently moved to town?  Change is certainly in the air here.  

In the midst of these life changes and my work-in-progress life, I find myself wanting to share some thoughts and stories in hopes they will inspire and help you.   As I've traveled the road of new experiences, one common theme keeps coming around:

Finding JOY in the JOURNEY

Alongside circumstances.  Alongside goals not reached.  Alongside hurts you've caused and others have caused you.  Alongside missed expectations.  Alongside suffering and pain.  We can each find joy in the journey -- in our businesses, our faith, our homes, our families, our health -- our lives!

I’d like to think I've learned and practiced a smidge about these important outlooks:

• Contentment
  
• Looking for the upside
  
• Chasing dreams
  
• Finding fulfillment
  
• Evaluating perspective
  
• Living out God's purpose
  

Not in a "pretend everything is hunky dory" way.  But in a truthful, transparent, laugh-out-loud, optimistic-but-grounded way.   Joy is NOT having perfect circumstances.  Joy is something we choose.

So here’s my blogging purpose:

To help you find joy in the journey you are on. Thanks for checking out the blog and website and happy dancing with me. I’d love to hear your feedback and how you are making a positive change today!  

Finding joy together,

JJ