Laura Naomi
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Soulful Living

Moving beyond Comparison & Competition

9/20/2020

7 Comments

 
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Competing and comparing ourselves to others seems to start early on in life in our society. It can begin when we are youngsters competing for our parents affections. Then we move through the education system, where these two behaviorisms are actually encouraged and expected. We are even rewarded the more we compete.

​My own experience with comparison and competition was primarily between my friends or other girls. It was more about how beautiful you were and how much attention you received from the boys. It was all about physical appearance and it had a profound affect on my development as it did on many other female friends. It can cause great suffering where we can never reach the high standards that we set for ourselves based on conditioning and society's rules. Body shaming, disorders and inner criticism are all too common and have been major issues for many years and continue to be. It wasn't until I came across spiritually mature and conscious women and sisterhood circles that this began to shift for me personally. 

​I feel that there is healthy competition, such as in sport. This is a great way to burn off built up energy, to learn self-discipline and push ourselves to excel however, throw ego's into the mix and it quickly becomes out of balance. Constantly comparing ourselves and competing with others can be quite exhausting and  leads to deeper unhappiness.

In our culture we are fed from many different sources that who we are is not enough. It is quite common that human beings go about looking outside of ourselves for answers to cover up the fear of not being enough. Whether it is about not being beautiful enough or successful enough, not being knowledgeable or wise enough, not enough 'likes' on social media (therefore there's something wrong with me), not being manly enough, and so on.  

This leaves a void that will never be fulfilled by trying to be like someone else. As a therapist, I've come across a lot of people over the years who have struggled with a belief that they have to be this 'perfect' image, (whatever that image is for them) so they will be accepted or loved more. The trouble is, it is impossible to be someone or something else other than who we are. Outwardly it may seem like to others we've got it all together, but our inner space or energy doesn't match.

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The way to overcome this within ourselves, firstly is to be honest where we may be doing this in our own lives. Secondly, while being honest, to approach ourselves with compassion. Some good reflections are:
  • How have I compared myself to others and am I still comparing myself? Why?
  • Have I competed with someone or others in the past? How? Do I still compete now? Why?
  • How does this cause me to feel?
  • Does my ego feel satisfied when I 'squash the competition'?
  • Am I seeking outside love, attention and approval? 
  • Do I take from others without permission?
  • Am I obsessing about what others are doing and believe that I have to keep up and be like them?
  • Am I trying to copy what someone else is doing but feel like something is missing inside myself?
  • Do I have feelings of 'not being enough' when I am around certain people whom I either admire or have difficulty with?

Next is to take a step back. To me this behavior is of an old paradigm and we have been misled by society. Many industries prey on fears such as telling us we have to stay looking young by buying a $700 face crème. One of the ways beyond this is looking deeper. Who are we beyond the physical dimension? Beyond the outer appearance, beyond possessions, the need for approval of others, the attachment to being more special than others, judging perceived faults in others or self criticism? 
If we become caught up in this behavior I feel we are disconnected with our true nature and our purpose in life by trying to be something else. There are many ways this can play out.

By taking a step back we can drop into our heart-space and deeper feelings and come from a place of appreciation. Appreciating qualities in others I feel takes some humility so we are not projecting our own pain onto the other person we are admiring - where we can see the quality we admire and celebrate it rather than covet it. There are also ways to learn how to develop qualities we like in others, within ourselves in ways that are sincere, transparent and with integrity.

​Each of us have shown up to life with our own stories, gifts and essence that is uniquely beautiful unlike anyone else. Being who we are is the most divine gift we can offer each other and the world.
​

© Written by Laura Naomi

Recommended listening...
Recording - ​ ​"Shedding Light onto Shadow"
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7 Comments
Dan
9/22/2020 10:23:35 am

Thanks for this honest article. I have to admit my friends and I love competing at weekend football but it's all in good spirit! :)
I do agree that it stems from childhood and can affect a healthy self esteem.
Thanks!

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Heather D
10/4/2020 07:02:57 am

Not one for posting comments but this blog has prompted a response in me.
There have been many times I’ve come across this both personally and in the corporate world. The competition between women can be heart breaking as it is for men. I feel that there is great power when women connect and hold each other up not drag each other down. Same for our brothers. Western society has a lot of “maturing” as you’ve put it. It has to be real though...I’ve come across so many who are not authentic but a lot that have - which keeps me hoping we will ‘see the light’.
Another thing is that we do a lot of ‘assuming’ without inquiring which I think is potentially damaging.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention Laura
Blessings

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Quentin
10/4/2020 10:29:18 am

I agree with a lot of the comments here. I grew up where everything was a competition between my brother and I. I have struggled with this but have had support through men's group work. I agree that with emotionally and spiritually mature community and mentors we can rise above these things. In business I never came across anyone who wasn't competitive! It is interesting that it is seen as a normal part of society when maybe to some of us it's a bit of a waste of time at the end if the day to walk around with a puffed up chest or be the king of the jungle 😄

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Heather
11/19/2020 05:53:09 am

Lol Quentin

It would change the world if this was addressed in the corporate culture.

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David
10/4/2020 05:20:37 pm

I like the idea that everyone has skills and abilities and just encourage them. I feel more encouragement is needed and also to accept that there’s some things we can’t do or are simply not part of our calling!

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Phoebe
10/14/2020 05:19:48 am

I connect with the openness of this blog and others. I find it refreshing.
I also wanted to thank you for the recording on the the Shadow. It seems to be relevant with the issues facing us as a species. Government, environment, social structure, racism, violence...need I go on. The reality is rough, yet I I continue to have faith. Love and light 🌟

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Derrick Lang
12/23/2020 09:19:23 am

Admittedly I am super competitive. It is hard when we are taught this in our education systems.
I do think social media fuels narcissism, insecurities, extreme competitiveness and exclusion. There's a lot of information out there about how its having an impact on the younger generations.
I do like the idea of competition in fun and try to keep it light hearted. Thanks this is a bit of a challenge for me as I have been called an "alpha Male". Not sure if it was a critical comment or just fact lol

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    Soulful Living Blog
    I love sharing my traveling journeys, be it when setting sail across the ocean or when I am called deep within, traveling spiritual miles. Although these experiences often bring a deep silence to my soul, I also love to share this depth and presence through art, photography, creative writing and music.

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