I believe that sometimes in our zeal to admire the success of selected individuals, we neglected the failures along the way which propelled them to that status. We failed to acknowledge the fact that they too at some point struggled tremendously to provide us with the perception of a smooth end-product. As such, we set for ourselves disappointment when we gaze internally and perceive our relative lack of mastery and elegance. Overtime, we grow to manifest resentment towards those very same individuals for making us feel inadequate.
I say our world would be a better place if we cease to compare ourselves to others. At the very least, let the yardstick of their achievements to which we measure ourselves against be mere guidelines. It is good to always strive for the very best, it is nice to have someone to look up to; yet, our singular lives would be a disaster if we could not look up to ourselves, look deep within ourselves, and look at ourselves without scorn.
In the grand scheme of things, there will always be someone who is better, someone who is worst, and someone who is your equal. If you end up being resentful to those who are better because they make you feel worst about yourself. If you despise those who are inferior, because you deem them beneath you. If you fear those who you are equal because of fear that they may surpass you. Then you may as well hide from the world because the likelihood is that each person you meet will have arenas whereby they are superior, inferior and equal to you; which conversely makes you equally loathsome.
No, be yourself, and be all that you can be, most importantly, be.
Well said. I also think it is vanity to attempt to seek glory among others - e.g. people buying expensive cars for their own glory. It is vanity to strive to make ourselves better, just so that we can be better than others.
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