Comparison - the source of much distress

We can only be ourselves, but we can be the best version of ‘us’.
As a sound therapist it’s apt that I’m inspired by music.
There’s a lovely song sung by Audioslave, “Be Yourself” Chris Cornell, sadly no longer with us, sings...
“To be yourself is all you can be. Leave a better world than you found”
That line right there sums up a key guiding principle for how I try to live.


I know that trying to be the best version of ‘me’ is a life’s work.
The moment I stop paying attention to how I act, react, fall, get myself up again...is the moment I stop being the best version of me.
Loving, enjoying, learning, breathing in every beautiful moment on this gorgeous planet while also paying attention to, calling attention to and striving against some of the things that cause distress to fellow humans, animals and our planet and trying to minimise the damage I do...it’s a LOT.

So, I have no time to spare looking over the garden fence (I don’t have a garden, nor a fence) to compare how I’m doing compared with others.
What I do dedicate time to is noticing what others might be doing that I can learn from. There are many people, alive and dead, who are inspirations to me. I don’t compare myself with them, but I try to learn from them, to be inspired by their example. This is different from thinking that I’m not as ‘good’ as those people. It’s a positive intention to help me on my path to a better me, not something to beat myself with.

Take care, shine the light, be inspired but don’t compare and perhaps “Leave a better world than you found” ❤️🙏