As a normal human being, this happened to me too, whether knowingly, unknowingly, or accidentally, I don't know how or for how long. By default, I used to compare myself with others. Those were the days. Of course, I never felt bad about someone's achievements, but there was always a lot of learning to be gained from those comparisons.
In meetings, especially when authorities discussed the research work of international scientists, I would initially start feeling very low, wondering, "Why am I not able to achieve that?" I would then immerse myself in the dedicated work, knowledge sharing, and research aspects of those top scientists, and I would realize or gain future directions. This process continued for many years, as this was the prevailing way to locate research gaps before the availability of AI tools.
Now, when I look back at the portion of self-labeling that came from those comparisons, I laugh out loud. Why did I start comparing in the first place? I learned since childhood, from teachers and many others (books, gurus, experiences), that there is always supposed to be an apple-to-apple comparison. But who else should one compare oneself to? Only you. Everyone else is a different fruit altogether, formed in completely different environmental conditions, fed required fertilizers, and taking their own shape and size. Compare, but not to get disturbed, and only for a while, in productive ways, for example, to locate research gaps. That's it.
I am feeling more and more peaceful now, as time has taught me this lesson once again. The universe was proving this at multiple levels, but I ignored it somehow; perhaps it was destined to happen now. Post-voluntary retirement, the concept of comparison completely vanished into thin air. I don't know why I used to compare. No one can truly be "better" than others. Everyone is born to give some solution(s) to society at large through their deeds, actions, work, and contributions. Nothing more.
When I briefly visited my memory lane, I noticed many people comparing themselves at financial levels, a trend that should be avoided completely. Learn to stop comparison completely. It is challenging, especially during growing up years, but eventually, silence will hunt you. Gratitude, appreciation, fulfillment, satisfaction, happiness, worthiness, and feeling grounded and blessed start pouring in once you stop comparing and silently walk the path of acceptance.
To sum up, with experience, time, age, and changes, an individual generally comes out as a better version of self (as compared to the previous you). And that's the biggest certificate to gain to move forward.
कोणत्याही टिप्पण्या नाहीत:
टिप्पणी पोस्ट करा