A Healthy Look at Yourself

Written by Branda Polk

When is the last time that you compared yourself to someone else? Women are notorious for comparing ourselves to each other and determining in our minds that we are better than some but not as bad as others in many areas of our lives. We rate and gauge the worth of our looks, families, homes, financial situations, possessions, jobs and knowledge based on what others have. This is a faulty comparison system that we tend to continue in our own minds even if we never say it out loud. When you compare yourself to others on a continual basis your mental wellness starts to suffer.

Here are four steps to begin to break the cycle of comparison.

1. Realize and appreciate your uniqueness. There is no one else exactly like you. You are very individual and created exactly the way God intended. Nothing about you in a mistake. When you compare yourself to others you are essentially saying that God was wrong for making you this way.

2. Realize that everyone is made from the same pattern. Genesis 1:26, "Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.'" While you are unique in your make up, every person is made in the image of God and that give us a special bond as humans that we do not find with any other of God's creations.

3. Focus your thoughts on bigger things. Philippians 4:8, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent of praiseworthy - think about such things."

4. Be the very best you can be. Be as well as YOU can be not as well as you think someone wants you to be or as well as someone else is. Seek to find what is healthiest and best for you and follow that path.

As you walk the wellness path this month, avoid comparing your pace and progress with others. Rely on God to lead and direct you. Wellness is achieved one wise choice as a time. Choose to stop comparing yourself to others.

Branda Polk, B.S. Exercise Science, is a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, conference speaker and health writer in Lebanon, Tennessee. Sign up for Branda's newsletter, Wellness Connection, to receive encouragement and coaching in the areas of nutrition, exercise, and stress relief. Follow Branda on Twitter.

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