Why do we compare ourselves to others? (warning rant ahead)

What good does this do–this comparing? It is judgment, can turn to competition, then a need to control…and then manipulation! Or what about self-hatred coupled with defeating behavior…
When we are just individuals…all of us.
What good does it do, to the person that we compare ourselves to…or to ourselves. What good can come of it?
Why do we do it? What is the purpose in it? Why can’t we be free to be who we are…and it be ok? Why must people compare themselves to others?
How do you feel when you see someone on TV that is more beautiful, fit, wealthy, smart, intelligent…etc? Do you think…wow they are blessed…or do you look for things to pick apart about them? Do you compare yourself to them and start the inner dialog…if only I were…
Do you cry about it?
When I was young and beautiful…I saw hatred in women’s eyes because of my beauty. I saw them compare themselves to me. I saw the look of jealousy in their eyes…when I had done nothing to them. I was just being who I was…and they rejected me. Sometimes they would hold their husbands closer…and I just wanted to say…I am not interested in your husband…but that is what the fruit of comparison and jealousy does to people. It hurt me.
Since I have become a Christian, I have had people judge me and hate me…when I was just trying to love them. Not just any “people”….close family members…people that I loved. comparison…jealousy….rejection.
Satan wanted to be like God…because he compared himself to God…it was pride that caused him to do it!
“Pride is actually a mark of inner inferiority and uncertainty, and such people compensate by over-emphasizing and flaunting the qualities they think they posses that will cause others to think well of them.”
I am sure, once I have lost all my weight, there will be people that compare themselves to me…and become jealous. They may even hurt me with their words…or lack of them. Why would someone do that? What would be their motivation for that?
What is this need in us to steal the joy from others, because of our insecurities? Or have to be the best at the expense of others? Why can’t we just be who we are? And let others be free to be themselves? Why do we have to attack others with our judgements and comparisons…and make them feel rejected?
Why?
My challenge this week is for everyone to stop comparing yourself to others…because it not only hurts you, but it can hurt the people that you compare yourself to. Let’s try to be real with people (and ourselves) and stop trying to be all that. Accept who you are…where you are and just be real…not fake…not manipulative. Let’s love ourselves RIGHT where we are and be the best ME we can be!