Have you noticed how miserable your situation can seem when you start making comparisons? When you measure life against the lives of others, you’re left with two possible outcomes: pride or depression. Who wants either? I think I’m more likely guilty of the former–I carefully make comparisons only when I know I’ll come out on top. That’s because I’m naturally prideful. But I guess some stupid hobbies that I developed in the last few days have opened my eyes to how people can walk through life so discontented. Typically, people with a “woe is me” attitude drive me insane. I’ll admit; I allow myself to complain over petty annoyances. But I think people are usually aware that I’m happy with life. I’ve never understood the girls my age whose only focus is marriage or kids. It’s frustrating for me to look at my life and feel complete and then have the attitude of someone in a similar situation subtly suggest that maybe I shouldn’t be content. Because haven’t I noticed? I’m not married. I’ve always felt that someone’s complaint over their station in life–a station at which I too sit–is also a judgment against me. If they think it’s weird that they’re single, doesn’t that mean they think it’s weird I’m single, too? That bothers me.
But in the last 48 hours, I’ve been acting really dumb. I started lamenting everything in my life, it seems. I have no money, my dog isn’t obedient, I’m not going to a Top Tier law school, my car isn’t nice, I’m lonely, my hair isn’t naturally flawless, I screwed up at BYU and will always have a crappy GPA, my bread is moldy... That’s right. I went to make lunch this morning and saw that my bread was moldy. And that’s where I drew the line. If I was going to continue to complain about my bread’s cultural evolution, I could not continue to live with myself.
So, I’m done. I need an attitude adjustment, and that’s what I’m setting out to accomplish. Farewell comparisons. Hello contentment; I’ve missed you.
