iCompare (The End of Happiness)

You got yourself a raise. Then you turn next door and found out your friend got a raise as well, slightly on top of yours. And there and then, your euphoric moment meets a downfall. Your happiness lasted for less than five minutes.

You got yourself a car. Brand new shiny car delivered to your office. Drove them home only to find Mr. Stottlemeyer, your dear neighbour has just got himself a boat. Your brand new car feels like crap all of a sudden.

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I was on my way to office when I heard a familiar name mentioned in one local radio. That's my friend! I was excited and proud at the same time. But what's more exciting is what he shared, and that's what I'm sharing here.

How many times in life we bump into situations similar to the two above? We couldn't help it. I couldn't help it, I compare at times. Not on all subject though. The hypothesis is everyone must have at least one subject that's on top of his comparison list. For one, it might be shoes (and all the ladies raise your shoesss.. =p). You just can't help it when somebody has got better, shinier, more expensive brand than yours. You feel crappy when someone close to you get to walk on that pair of beauty before you do. For another it might be position in a job, bags, lenses (rookie photographer usually =p), and what not.

"Comparison is the death of happiness" - Doni Prilliandi.

What about benchmarking you ask. Aren't we suppose to have something to see our progress?

There's a line we have to draw here, between comparing and benchmarking. The latter focuses on the process (how can we make things better) while the former focuses on the results (salary, possession, etc). When we focus on results, nothing will make us satisfied.

Before we know it, those simple stuff somehow become majorly responsible for our happiness. Here's what to do .... admit it. When we admit, there's a releasing power that set us free from envy and the corresponding inferiority. Also, one thing we forget is where we were before. You might not have a car before, now you own a Honda! Screw the rest with Ferraris. You used to wear Charles and Keith, now you got a Kate Spade! Screw the rest with Louboutin.

"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be." - Groucho Marx

So peeps, iCompare, that's not the latest gadget from Apple, it doesn't even exist in reality, and don't let it exist in you. Get the one from 'above' though, its called iGrateful. =)

Smile On, Shine On.
Rubs