Hi,
I'm Gina Ferrara.
In the Internet era,
With an emphasis on social media,
Comparison,
Or comparing ourselves to others or to other situations,
Is common and defeating.
According to the dictionary,
Comparison is the estimating of similarities and dissimilarities between two things or people.
That sounds pretty straightforward,
But it often isn't as cut and dry as this,
Is it?
The projections from our web-based social sites are often shiny and perfect.
We tend to share our best and leave the problems for one-on-one interactions.
This creates an illusion of reality.
Plus,
We are all individuals.
We cannot really compare ourselves to others because we are so nuanced in our personalities,
Our skills,
Our hidden traits,
Our circumstances.
Because of these and other factors,
Comparisons are never fair judgments.
They put our focus on others and away from ourselves,
And often land in resentment,
Even of those we love.
There are things we can do to mitigate these feelings,
But it's a practice.
Acknowledgement is often a first step.
My current routine includes meditation,
Especially mindful practices,
Goal and intention setting,
And remembering the place I began my growth journey so I can acknowledge the changes I have made,
As well,
I use gratitude daily.
What follows is a brief meditation.
This guidance does use visualization to attend to the concept of comparison,
But if you do not visualize or do not wish to,
Just listen to the words.
Use the ideas and the concepts to follow the meditation.
Remember,
We are all unique and approach our meditation uniquely as well.
And let's begin.
Find your space for receiving.
Cleanse with a couple of deep breaths to calm your mind and get grounded in your space.
Imagine yourself on a walking path.
It could be around a lake,
Up a mountain,
On a street,
Anywhere.
You are making this journey with many others.
Some you know,
Some you do not.
Some are moving more quickly and more forcefully than you are,
And others are behind you.
This is a group that you have both learned from and shared with.
You admire some and a few admire you.
You have gifts to offer each other.
And you walk.
Feeling the support of those around you.
Gaining wisdom as you can and breathing it in.
You come upon a place where the path splits in one or many directions.
On the road you choose,
You're on your own.
Everyone else goes a different way.
Continue to walk this path in peace,
Observing that which surrounds you and sensing your own decision to take this path and your own strength in this decision.
Consider and acknowledge those whom you were just traveling with.
Taking on the wisdom of each one with you as you forge your own place,
Your own direction,
Independent but supported,
Moving forward at your pace to your personal destination.
Continue to advance and walk or settle into a space on this path into your own meditation.
During this time,
Create some truths about yourself and your reality.
And consider these statements,
These affirmations.
I am exactly where I need to be right now.
I can control the direction and timing of my own path.
I can value and honor the pace that I have chosen.
And it is good.
And we'll remain here in quiet reflection to settle your mind on your strength and ability and to learn from others and share your knowledge.
Deepen your breath.
Allow yourself to gently emerge from this time.
Continue to be aware of your own self.
Consider returning to this meditation periodically to help the grounding process as you consider comparison and how to manage it in your own life.
I welcome comments about your own process on this journey.
Best to you as you move into peace.
