Better Than Others?

-Ernest Hemingway

The Stoics also spoke often to the error of deeming oneself better than his fellow man (or woman).

This has profound implications for life if you think about it. How much time is spent comparing, contrasting, and competing with others? Think about it for a moment. You’ll realize that much of what we do daily is an effort to become ‘better’ than others.

But do we ever pause to ask ourselves why we do this? Further, what happens when we achieve this “betterness”? Do we win an award? And if we do win prizes, what then? Is your happiness tied to the fact that one is superior to you? Hardly a noble goal. As Jesse Jackson said, “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.”

As Hemingway suggests, a better goal would be to compete and become better than your former self.

I say yes.