A Comparatively Excellent Post

 Who couldn't use a little more Zen in their life; more peace and happiness, less stress and anxiety? Doesn't that just sound positively perfect?

 This weekend I was in Virginia Beach, and as I was floating in the ocean I just remember feeling absolutely no stress. All my bills were paid. My gas tank was full. I was doing great in school. I was not at odds with any one person. I had two paychecks coming. Not to mention, I was at the damn beach!! Everything was going my way. (Until the sunburn set in, anyway!) I was so happy, and that happiness is carrying through.

 Lately, I keep asking myself "How does a person rid their life of stress?" And so, I have spent considerable (ish) time reading about this. So far, I have noticed that anyone who writes about living a stress free life almost always starts with "Stop Comparing Yourself!".

 Ugh!! C'mon Inspirational Writers!! You could have picked something easier as a starting point. Seeing how I measure against my peers is without a doubt one of the main sources of stress in my life. I didn't really realize it until a couple months ago, but it is the thing that causes me to doubt myself more than anything. I don't so much worry about what people think of me. But, I do spend an enormous amount of my time worrying about where other people are in life, and then thinking  "If they are there, I should be there too!"

  Everyone has problems, and no one is exactly where they want to be in life. I really have to learn to stop holding other people's lives up to my own just to see how they compare. I can't look at where I am and let myself think that makes me better or worse than someone else. I just need to make sure that everyday I am trying to be the best I can be. And then, not give a crap about where anyone else is.

 Right now, I am trying so hard to be satisfied with my life, to look at what I have, and know it is enough. One more baby step towards Zen, I guess.

 So, if you are feeling a little upset about your position in life, try not comparing your today to another person's today. Compare your today to your yesterday. You will feel better! I promise! I am trying it, and I haven't be happier in a long time! :)