Do you over-extend yourself financially in order to fit in?

Are you trying to keep up with the lifestyle of others around you?

Do you look at what others have versus what you do not have?

Take a hard look at how you live your life and if it is in alignment to your values and goals or if you are trying to match or exceed others in order for some form of acceptance or validation.

This quote by Will Smith shares valuable insight to something that may be quite overlooked, but the fact of the matter is it holds true for many people. For many, there is a pursuit of having the newest and latest gadgets, fashions, and accessories, with a purpose of achieving a level of worth and acceptance in the eyes of others. However, it often leads to an unwanted end-result.

I remember, back to a time, when I was younger. BMX bicycles were all the rage. One particular brand I admired was Mongoose. I was so excited when I was finally able to save up enough money to purchase one. It was all chrome with blue accents. It was quite magnificent.

I remember getting home and immediately riding over to my friend’s house so he could check it out. Within the next couple of days, that same friend showed up with the same exact brand bicycle although he had the next level up from mine. Even as kid, not fully understanding life’s nuances, I was like, “What the heck is that about?”

However, it did not stop there. It became a common practice of equal of better. It was as if there was some imaginary race to prove one’s worth with no finish line in sight.

So, take a second now and consider if you are stuck in that imaginary race. Are you trying to keep up with or maintain a similar image of other people around you?

If so, when does it ever end? Does it ever end?

Comparing yourself to others is a sure fire way to end up with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy because it is a never-ending cycle.

You are you, not anyone else, and the pursuit to be someone else or have what others have will not bring in to existence whatever it is you think you are looking for.

If currently caught up in that imaginary race, realize there is already a wealth of untapped inner happiness within you.

Once you take some time to look within and open that valve, the longing to prove your worth or to impress others through external “stuff” will begin to fade away.

Now it’s your turn.

How does this quote inspire you?

Tell me about an experience where either you or someone you know were caught up in the hamster wheel of comparison competition. Were you able to break free from that pursuit of false acceptance and validation? Are you still wrapped up in it and trying to escape that merry-go-round now?

Contact me or share your thoughts below in the Comments section.

Let’s get the discussion going.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. Together we can become stronger individuals.

Educate. Engage. Evolve.