Okay, here it goes. I struggle with comparison. It is not something that I am proud of, but I know that I can work on this area of my life. Recently it’s been very apparent when I look at images of “perfect young 20-somethings” plastered all over social media and they all seem to have it all together. The perfect hair, nails, meals, birthday parties, and weddings- it can be overwhelming. Is anyone with me? It’s all so easy 
to compare ourselves to these people who seem to have these so-called perfect lives.
So, how have I tried to overcome this? I practice gratitude. I take time to look at what I do have. I begin listing things that I am grateful and thankful for. Before I know it, I realize I have more than I imagined. Practicing gratitude is a quality that anyone can achieve. So, be still, pay attention to the sensations of this moment and notice your bounty of blessings.
Being excited about the benefits of gratitude can be a great thing because it gives us the kick we need to start making changes. Look at these aspects of your life, and start practicing today!
- Give one compliment daily- tell people what qualities you admire about them. It builds relationships with the people around you and brightens everyone’s day!
- Keep a gratitude journal- you don’t need a fancy notebook, just you and your positive thoughts.
- Resist the urge to criticize- vow to not complain, criticize or gossip for 10 days. If you slip, keep going, for 10 days straight.
- Grow from all situations- when you find yourself in a less than admirable situation, ask yourself “What can I learn from this?”
- Turn negatives into positives- if you identify something negative (like a cold conference room) switch your mind to turn it into a positive (the room with the comfortable chairs).
- Remember that you become what you practice most- if you are uptight, reacting to criticism your life will be a reflection of this. If you practice kindness, patience and humility your life will be a reflection of what you practice.