INSPIRATION IS THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION OF COMPARISON AND IMITATION
*****
Comparison
Comparing yourself to others robs you of joy. It steals the satisfaction of being who you are. Your focus moves away from what you have and who you really are. If you compare yourself to others, your focus is on what is absent in yourself and your life. You start to feel that you are not good enough, and that what you do is not good enough. Or you may feel that no matter what you do, you just don’t get the same result as others who seemingly have it easier. You begin to believe “the grass is greener on the other side,” and you lose appreciation for what you have and who you are.
Comparison is useful when you are improving upon yourself. It is useful to look at a previous version of yourself and measure against that. It is also useful to compare when you are seeking to understand something. In those cases, comparison can help you spot the difference and similarities.
Outward comparison comes from a place of judgment and robs you of joy. Inward comparison comes from a place of love and brings you understanding.
Imitation
Imitation comes from comparison. You imitate when you judge someone or something as better to your own effort and expression. You see in the other something that is missing in yourself, and you desire it. Like comparison, imitation is focused on the other and on the external. It is not the sincerest form of flattery. Rather, it is the sincerest form of rejection of self.
There is a useful form of imitation. It is the kind of imitation that humbly recognizes the genius of another, and seeks to internalize that expression of genius. In its highest form, imitation becomes discipleship. The picking up the torch and doing your best to carry forward that light and knowledge you’ve received from another.
Inspiration
At their best, comparison and imitation lead to inspiration. When you appreciate another completely, and see their authentic expression of self, it gives you permission to do the same. It inspires you to fully and authentically express yourself and be you. You feel a desire to up your game, to level up. and to come from a heart centered place where you show the world who you are.
Inspiration allows you to love the other and the Self. There is no judgment in inspiration. Only acceptance and appreciation. Differences and flaws become things you celebrated rather than reject. Inspiration allows you to see things clearly. You see others and yourself as you really are. And you accept others and yourself with compassion and respect.
When comparison sees that the grass is greener on the other side, inspiration sees that the grass is green everywhere. And even if there is a brown patch, inspiration sees an opportunity to water a dry spot and nurture the green into existence. When imitation sees something to aspire to, inspiration sees an invitation to unleash your own unique and authentic flavor.
The world has enough comparison and imitation. It needs inspiration. It needs you to be inspired, and to give full voice to your inner genius. Your authentic expression of Self will unleash more inspiration into the world.
Featured Photo by Dietmar Becker on Unsplash.
This post was inspired by content shared on my new talk show Limhi Live.
Catch the show streaming live Monday through Saturday, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (MST) on twitch.tv/limhilive or www.limhi.live.