Comparision is a human attribute. We all do it no matter the circumstance. If you're five, the boy next door has more cars than you or the girl next door has more barbies than you. If you're twelve your best friend is better at that video game or can do her hair better than you. When you're eighteen that girl is skinnier or that boy is more muscular. etc., etc., etc.
The ironic thing, though, is that we are taught over and over and over again don't compare yourself, be content. Talking to a friend tonight, I realized what this really means and how I along with everybody, really suffer from The-girl-who-sits-next-to-me-in-English-is-so-much-prettier-than-I-am Syndrome or I-could-never-compete-with-that, or I-will-never-be-able-to-do-that types of diseases too. It takes character to actually stand up to yourself. And the problem is that nobody really does. Again, talking to this friend, I preached to the choir and told her she just needed to be content with the way she is and the things she's been given. She needs to be content because we are told to. But as I said it, I realized that I really had no room to say anything because I myself don't even follow that counsel. I compare and compare myself to people and things and accomplishments or lack thereof, until I make myself sick.
So, tonight was kind of an awaking. A smack in the face. A punch to the mouth. an ah-ha moment. Call it whatever you want, but really, I got it. For the first time I realized what it meant by "learn to laugh." I pictured the scene in Anne of Green Gables when Miss Stacey stays for dinner. The Plum pudding, which Anne made, has a special sauce. But the unfortunate part about it is that Anne forgot to cover the sauce the night before.The next day, when putting the pudding together, Anne finds this sauce is completely ruined by a dead mouse who had climbed in the bowl for a midnight snack. Later that evening, when Miss Stacey, who had stayed for dinner, was about to put the first bite of the pudding in her mouth, Anne shrieked STOP! And the truth about the mouse is spilled out. Miss Stacey just sits there, thinking about what just happened, and finally, she just bursts into laughter.
For the first time I realize what it means to "Trust in the Lord" you wouldn't be able to laugh unless you understood the Atonement. The fact that Christ is there for you no matter the circumstance, No matter your position, no matter what; it's pure joy.Christ wouldn't have atoned for our sins for us to be miserable. He atoned for our sins to be happy. To feel the joy of being back on track again. But without that knowledge, without that recognition, you wouldn't be able to understand anything. You really wouldn't be able to live life to the fullest it should be. The only way to do that is to trust in the Lord.To trust that he really did atone for our sins. To know that he is with us every step of the way no matter what.
I have this philosphy that life is full of stories that need to be shared. No matter the enviroment, no matter the company we're with, there will always be a story to share, and it is our right to share them. It is kind of our obligation to share them even. But the only way someone is actually going to recognize those little stories throughout the day is with a positive attitude. An attitude that each day brings new possibilites. An attitude that each new possibility is a new lesson learned.
To not compare means to have a good attitude. To have a good attitude means to know exactly who we are. The Atonement, the scriptures, councel from the general authorities, and each and every tender mercy were all given to us to make us realize that specific thing: that we are Sons and Daughters of Heavenly Father.
We were made to resemble him, so that's what we should do. The only way to resemble Him is to be the best person we can be. He is the only person who actually knows the full potential we have, so we must trust that everything we experience, every little story, will shape us into who we need to be- who we have to be.
I. LOVE. This. (:
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