07-13-2007
Healthy Competition
I believe we all arrive here on earth at different times, and on different spiritual levels. You should never be ashamed as to where you are in life, as long as you are trying your best.
At times, we can be harder on ourselves than anyone else in our life. We compare our achievements to others, and we tend to make ourselves feel bad when we don’t add up to our peers, colleagues, co-workers; even the people in our religious or spiritual community.
Most of us will judge our accomplishments by how far we surpassed our competition; each other. We do this with everyone who crosses our path. Though a certain level of competition is needed for personal or spiritual growth, it can get ugly very quickly.
If you allow your competitive self to destroy or hurt others just to make yourself feel good, then both parties get hurt. The disappointment of your opponent is obvious, but what you may not realize is how you damage yourself when others feel the pain of your ego.
A sure sign of weakness is when you better yourself or feel success from ones loss. You may have a feeling of elation, however it is only a quick fix. The rush of adrenaline only lasts for so long before you need to go out and get it again. There will always be two sides to competition; it is what it in your heart that counts.
True accomplishments come from with in. When you compete with yourself, you are challenging yourself to be a better person. You learn from your mistakes and use it as a skill the next time life challenges you. Every time you win you take a step forward towards real success.
Lucid’s Thoughts:
The responsibility is in your hands. If you fail to recognize your own challenges and chose to stay in the dark, your only hurting yourself.
Sometimes we need a little help with our growth process; don’t be discouraged, we don’t always have the know-how. With the right guidance, some patience, and dedication, anything is possible!
You may want to confide in a mentor or teacher, one who will listen and give you good advice. This could be a friend, family member, someone from your religious or spiritual group, a person from a support group. Etc.
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July 13th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
True, the only person we should compare ourselves to is ourselves, that is the only real measure that counts.
July 14th, 2007 at 12:44 am
Its hard for me to not compare especially athletics. Sports are revolved around competition and beating your oponent.
July 15th, 2007 at 1:17 am
My problem is that i compete with myself to much. I am very hard on myself and I have to remember that I can only do what I can do. If I am at work and I do something wrong I go off on myself in my head. When it comes to the small things I feel like at this point there should be no room for the silly mistakes.
This is an issue I have been working on.
July 15th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Hello Mark!
I think comparing our personal achievements to our own goals is where the mind should be. When you think about it, there really is no reason to compare yourself to others. Doing so would get you nowhere, especially when you are trying to advance and develop yourself. You can not grow as a person by comparing yourself to others. The lessons they are learning may not be yours.
Thank you for your addition!
July 15th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Yes randy I understand. Sports are directly involved with beating your competition! (Say like football)
I guess the best way to go about it would be to be a good sport wether you win or lose.
July 15th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Hi Cheri!
I can be hard on myself at times too. You need to be patient and understanding with yourself. Even the small things have their right. Sometimes if our mind is over loaded, or we are doing more then one thing at a time, we can have slip ups. It happens to everyone and no one is perfect.
Just take it as it comes. Maybe you need to slow down a bit; pace yourself.
Good luck!
July 15th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
So true Lucid. So many of us measure our success based on someone else’s success. We will never be able to compare apples to oranges, but people still try.
Water seeks its own level and success seeks its own level in us. We don’t have to compete with anyone, success is living a life of love.
I have added you to my blogroll.
July 16th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Good Morning Alexys! Thank you for your input and thank you for adding me to your Blog Roll!
Your right apples are apples, and oranges are oranges… There really is no sense in comparing…..
Have a nice day!
July 16th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Speaking of work. I am in sales so it is all about beating the competition. We are trained to look at what is out there and compare it to our products and where we can change. I see this being carried over into my personal life and I see that I compare myself to the things I do not like about others and then try and change it in myself if it exists.
Nice post!
July 17th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Hi Bettie, I also work in an environment where comparing is frequent. I think some comparing/competition can be a healthy motivator, it is how you use and apply it. If you keep within your own guidlines and you keep your values close you should be ok.
Have a great day!