Comparison and Bobbers
“All unhappiness stems from comparison”. A very good friend of mine shared this with me years ago and I would say this is truer today than even when I was growing up. Not only does comparison lead to unhappiness, it causes some people to also lose their focus and to lose all hope and joy.
Two weeks ago I was at the first annual convention of a personal development company, called Oola. I met the founders a year ago. Our vision and our mission were so in sync that I have now aligned myself with Oola and recommend everyone use their tools and programs! (Email me now for more details)
At this event, co-founder Troy Amdahl, shared this story and visual about comparison and with his permission I am now sharing his words with you:
“Teddy Roosevelt once said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Growing up in Minnesota and not particularly interested in presidential history as a kid, we learned this, but in a different way.
It seems everyone in MN fishes. It feels as if there are more boats than people. I remember a calm day on the lake as a child, sitting in an old Lund boat with the faint smell of gasoline in the air and the call of loons echoing in the distance, simply enjoying the day and hoping to catch a fish.
I was staring at my red and white bobber hoping to catch a fish. I was so focused that it made it hard to focus on anything else or even blink. I couldn't be happier to be right there at that moment.. After a while, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a bobber quickly submerge, and just like that my buddy had a fish. Then I began to look at boats across the bay and heard the excitement as their bobbers would dip, and they reeled in fish after fish. Quickly, I found myself scanning the horizon, watching all of the fisherman seemingly catch an endless supply of fish, while my little red and white bobber sat there, motionless.
My brother, older and wiser than me, looked at my disappointed face and simply said, "keep your eye on your own bobber." It's a Minnesota saying and has way more meaning than fishing.
You see, when I was looking at all of the action around me, I was missing the nibbles on my own line, what could have been fish. I became distracted and lost focus. I also started to feel less than those around me, and question my own abilities. Worse yet, I quickly lost sight of one of the most powerful Oola Accelerators - gratitude.
The fact was, even fishless, I was on a beautiful lake, surrounded by some of my favorite people, doing one of my most favorite things to do ... simply in nature hoping to catch a fish.” This was such a powerful visual and I now keep my bobber on my desk to remind me that my life is unique; I have a special purpose to carry out, and to be grateful for the journey.
