Comparing oneself with others is as a one-to-one measurement, while judging is not. Or is it? Perhaps we necessarily measure ourselves in every way, with some others, or with group norms, as we understand them to be.
So many times we hear that old warning, “Judge not lest thou be judged.” And yet, how can we ever know how we compare with any other person, or even with our own idea of how we should live and/or respond to whatever situations or relationship, if we have had no experience in observing how others, or at least some others, live, and/or respond?
Little children play dress-up, and pretend to be adults. How can they play these roles if they have never witnessed and, to some degree, internalized the actions and responses of some adults in their life? These children have been influenced by some adults and are practicing how to be an adult. Hopefully, their adult role models are expressing behaviors that are worthy of being learned by the children, and a benefit to their society.
Everything we think, say, or do will contribute to our community in a more and/or less positive or negative way. We develop our own personality as we live, one minute at a time. Comparing ourself with others can help us choose our future way of life. And, expressing a positive attitude can serve others as a role model, when they compare themselves with us, and they will. It’s human nature.
Simple Seekers 