Joy in the Moment

Moving From Comparing to Contentment

by joy pape

Have you ever bought something you really liked and felt content with it (a sense of satisfaction) until you saw someone else’s you liked better?

Have you ever had a job you loved? When you interviewed for the position, you agreed to a certain wage. You accepted it and were comfortable with it until you found out someone was making more money than you. Suddenly you don’t feel as satisfied. You may have also felt resentment and perhaps may have stopped giving of yourself as fully as you used to before this feeling.

If so, you are not alone. These types of situations happen to many of us before we are aware of what’s happening.

They bring to mind lessons I’ve found to be very powerful to help these thoughts and feelings.

Those who compare themselves with others are not wise.

Contentment is a feeling of ‘having enough,’ being satisfied or at peace with the way things are, no matter what is happening outside of me.

Comparing usually makes you feel better or worse than you think someone else is. Most often it takes you to the lower side, to feel less than, worse than. But by what standards?

It robs you of contentment, you are no longer feeling satisfied with who you are and what you have.

And, if you feel or think you are better than others, that is comparing too. Thinking you are better doesn’t allow you to have peace, contentment and satisfaction, especially in your relationships with others.

Once you aware of and understand the danger of comparing:

Decide NOT to ‘go there’. Change the way you think.

Decide NOT to let anyone, anything or any thought rob you of being content.

This doesn’t mean you won’t grow and learn more. If you learn what this really means, you’ll attain heights like you never dreamed of. A peace of mind. A feeling of joy and thankfulness no matter what’s going on around you. You’ll even be able to be happy for other people, rather than resentful and unsatisfied.

And, most of all, you’ll be happy for your peace of mind.

I’ve decided not to let anyone rob me of my contentment, satisfaction and joy.

I wish you the same. It will bring you joy in the moment.

Joy Pape, FNP, CDCES, CFCN is a board-certified nurse practitioner who believes in and practices holistic health and healing. She is a board-certified diabetes care and education specialist, and foot care nurse. She practices at the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian. She also has a private practice located in the West Village.