The Comparing Mind

Hey, welcome back to your Daily Mindfulness. In today's session, we're going to talk about the comparing mind. Do you ever get bummed out when you see people doing things that maybe you perceive to be superior to what you're doing? They're making more money than me. They don't have all these racing thoughts like I do. Their family life isn't as messed up as mine is.

They go out with friends when I would rather read a book. You know, this is the comparing mind that we often get caught up in. And it's a natural part of being human, especially living among other humans. But next time you're caught in this cycle of comparison, I invite you to ask yourself if everyone were experiencing the same thing that I'm experiencing, would it still be as much of an issue for me? If all of your friends made the same amount of money, if everyone's mind was racing with nonstop thoughts, if you knew all people had some family issues and if staying into read on a Friday night was the status quo, would you still beat yourself up over it? Often the majority of our distress comes from thinking that our life should be different from what it is. We compare ourselves to others.

We want to fit into the tribe. It's normal, but we don't need to be enslaved to this predisposition. So notice when you're caught up in these thoughts of comparison, let them come, let them go and drop back into your experience without judgment and critique. Remember, everyone is fighting their own battle. Nobody's perfect.

No one has the perfect family life, the perfect arrangement. We each are navigating this life in our own unique way. See if you can give yourself permission to live your life in the way you want to in all of its wonder and all of its mess. I'll talk to you in the meditation. Thank you for your practice and take care.