I know that the fastest way to despair is by comparing one’s insides with another’s outsides, and that Max Ehrmann, the author of the classic poem “Desiderata,” was absolutely correct when he said that if you compare yourself with others you become either vain or bitter.
Or, as Helen Keller put it: “Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged.”
But Helen and Max don’t keep me from going to the land of comparisons and envy. Before long, I’m salivating over someone else’s book contract, or blog traffic numbers, or “Today Show” appearance. Then I have to pull out my set of directions — these 8 techniques — that will lead me out of the continent of jealousy and home, to self-acceptance.
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“Her books were bestsellers. (I had just received a royalty statement that said more copies of my book were returned than sold.)”
Oh Therese, this is the story of my second book. My first book was reasonably successful but my second book bombed and you are only the second person I have ever told
Sonia
Therapy Unplugged
What if you are at the other end of the more negative parts of this, e.g., there is a (grown-up) mean girl dogging your tracks and who has managed to semi-destroy inroads you had made into a new career? She basically took my place after that. Where do I start? I suspect it’s #8, specifically my old weakness, low self-esteem.
(I do strongly believe all change comes from within. It’s just been so very hard.)
Any thoughts?
Dear Therese,
My compassionate regards, my gratefulness for your advice, yet… one thing i was not worried about because it never occured to me were my blog visits- I find that the more i check my blog the more the numbers rise- (one at a time):www.etholouli.com!
thank you.