This quote is attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, however, with the rise of social media it is probably even more relevant today. With curated feed and many only showing the best moments of their lives, it makes the comparison trap even harder to avoid. But comparison rarely serves us well, usually bringing out in us either a sense of inferiority or of superiority, neither of which leads to joy or contentment in the long term. 

So how do we avoid falling into the comparison trap that is made so easy in this era of social media?

• Acknowledge that comparison does not serve us: it either leads to envy and jealousy, if we perceive others as better off than us, which can leave us feeling small or hopeless. Alternatively, it can lead to a sense of superiority, if we see ourselves as better than others. This leaves us to battle with the side effects of ego, hindering potential future growth. Neither outcome leads to lasting joy.

• Work at really being present in your life, enjoying and savoring the moments that bring you joy, and acknowledging gratitude for those moments. Research has shown that people who are able to do this—savor and be fully present in the meaningful moments and express gratitude for them—are more joyful, and joyfulness leads to greater resiliency.
  

• Develop a daily practice of reflecting on your day—acknowledge what you did well, and also what needs a little tweaking. In this process we develop the habit of reflecting only on ourselves, of comparing ourselves only to the us of yesterday, and no one else. Growth occurs when we lovingly, but systematically work on ourselves in this way—pray and study, put our learning into practice, reflect on how it worked in our life, make adjustments, and repeat. One step at a time, one day at time.

Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries… —‘Abdu’l-Bahá