'Comparison is the Thief of Joy'

In a quote attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, he said "Comparison is the thief of joy," and during a season of life where many of us have been at home, feeling disconnected from family, maybe spending more time on our devices than we usually would, I think this is an important thing to keep in mind.

While Roosevelt didn't have computers, television, or cell phones to occupy his attention, his quote has only become truer as time has passed and technology has evolved.

Social media, overall, is a wonderful way to stay connected to family, especially if you're living on the other side of the country (or the world) from the ones you love most or the friends you can't see as often as you'd like. But the flip side of that coin, is that we see what other people are doing, and we often compare ourselves to that.

I'm a writer and have spent the better part of the last two years writing a book and trying to get it published. When picking up a new book, I would catch myself comparing my words to the author's. I would sit back, on occasion, and think, what's the point? I can't write like that, so why bother?

When scrolling through social media, I would see the success of other writers, and feel my jealousy sap the joy from my bones.

It isn't a happy feeling.

For you, it may not be writing. Perhaps it's other things you see your connections do.

Maybe it's the friend that bakes with her kids every weekend.

Maybe it's the dad who constantly takes his children for hikes or bike rides on Saturday mornings.

Maybe it's the person who has achieved the goal you want to achieve.

Maybe it's the person who seems to have their life together, while you see the piles of dirty dishes and clothes that need washing and struggle with balance.

But there are a lot of things you should remember before you compare your life to theirs.

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