Article September 3, 2007 Issue

BEYOND COMPARISON

BY LOIS R. MARQUARDT

Haven't we all met people who astound us because of their incredible talents and abilities? It can be inspiring to see them in action. And in the worlds of business, entertainment, and even sports, published lists encourage us to read all about the "Most Influential CEOs," "A-list Stars," and "Most Valuable Players." Personal accomplishments can often make people seem larger than life, even superhuman, in what they've been able to achieve. And it can be puzzling to try to figure out what makes someone else more adept or successful at something than we are. I've found, in my own life, comparisons have tended to magnify my weaknesses and lead to feelings of helplessness and discouragement. But when I pray for a more spiritual view, a transformation in my thought and experience takes place.

Recently, I found myself trapped in a cycle of comparing myself with others. I became well acquainted with a group of people who exhibited incredible talents and abilities, and I was frequently in awe of their accomplishments. Even though I was delighted to enjoy their company, it seemed I would never attain their level of accomplishment. Although I appreciated the fact that each one was reflecting God's goodness, I began to feel inadequate and second rate. Jealousy even started to creep into my thoughts.

I knew that these feelings were impositions trying to gain a foothold in my life because my great love for these friends was indisputable. As a student of Christian Science, I knew the benefits of getting beyond what I was seeing on the surface and praying to understand any situation from a higher spiritual perspective.