Unhealthy competition and negative comparison

One day, I was cycling and noticed a person in front of me, about 1/4 of a mile. could tell he was cycling a little slower than me and decided to try to catch him. I had about a km to go on the road before turning off.

So I started cycling faster and faster and every block, I was gaining on him just a little bit. After just a few minutes I was only about 100 yards behind him, so I really picked up the pace and pushed myself. You would have thought I was cycling in the last leg of London Olympic triathlon.

Finally,I caught up with him and passed him by.

On the inside I felt so good. “I beat him” of course, but he didn’t even know we were racing.

After I passed him, I realized that I had been so focused on competing against him that I had missed my turn, had gone nearly six blocks past it and had to turn around and go back.

Isn’t that what happens in life when we over focus on competing with co-workers, neighbours, friends, extended family, relatives, trying to outdo them or showing off and trying to prove that we are more successful or more connected or more wealthy or more intelligent or more wise or or more important?

We spend our time, emotions, and energy running after material possessions to keep up with unhealthy competition…In turn, we miss out on a path to positive purpose of our own life.

Moral :
The problem with unhealthy competition and negative comparison is that it’s a never ending cycle. There will always be somebody ahead of you, someone with better job, somebody with a nicer car, somebody with more wealth,  more education, a prettier wife, more high society connections or a more handsome husband, better behaved and intelligent children, or somebody with better communication skill etc.

Take what Life has given you, the height, weight, talents, time and etc.

Stay focused on core values, purpose of your life and live a healthy and helpful life. Try and do good for society when possible.

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megha