The saying is “life as we know it,” not “life as others know it.” I began searching for answers as to why we are such comparative beings in the game of life. We look at our lives and tend to compare our successes and failures to others. We match situations to see if we are ahead of the game or trailing in the back at a slower pace. Whether we truly mean to or not, we are quick to compare and feel defeat when we are not satisfied. I have reached an age where friends are getting engaged, having babies and creating careers. It is easy to look at someone else and get frustrated that we haven’t yet conquered that particular milestone. It is dangerously easy to compare your situation to someone else’s and feel you are not where you should be.
But the saying is, “life as we know it.” It is our life, our choices, our decisions and our pace. Each and every person is different and we all play in our own game. We don’t lose because someone is faster or quicker at the game. We don’t strike out because opportunity lacks. An accomplishment or blessing for someone else should not mean failure. Their game has different rules, different players, and different standards. It is time we look at our own standards instead of comparing them to someone else’s. The age of twenty-something brings, doubt, fear, excitement, thrill and the unknown. It is a time where we should be okay with letting our game run a little longer than expected. It is okay if we do not see an end, or a clear answer.
So why look at others when you have an entire game to play for yourself, a game full of new challenges and hurdles to overcome. Step up to the plate and look at how far you have come, how much you have practiced and how much better you can get. Because in the game of your life, you are the one responsible for winning.
Casey Rowley is a freelance writer and preschool teacher for Sunshine Learning Centers. For comments email, caseymrowley@yahoo.com and visit www.caseyrowley.wordpress.com.