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Compare less. Be You.


Two weeks ago, Campy and I had a sleepover at my mom's house while Karel was in Jacksonville for RETUL bike fits.
I borrowed my mom's car to go to the Y for a swim on Saturday morning and when I returned home, I learned that while walking Campy, my mom had locked herself out of her rental home on accident.
We finally managed to get inside but throughout a 30-minute freak-out situation, I couldn't help but think about Campy who was really just having the best morning ever.

He got to go for a really long walk that morning, he was able to play outside in the morning and by the time we finally got inside, Campy was exhausted from his morning of fun.
Campy had no idea he was locked out for over an hour because he was just having another great day of life. 
Although I realize that Campy does get a bit stressed out when Karel and I leave him at home, Campy's perspective of life is so different than it is for the rest of us.
Campy doesn't live on a strict time schedule, he isn't worried about what he looks like and he is totally fine with a change in the routine (so long as he is with his mommy and daddy). Campy is so easy and when life gets stressful for us, we always think about Campy's life  and how he makes the most out of every day. 


Although I have no scientific evidence to prove it, I am pretty sure that Campy thinks he has the best life ever. He may not live in the biggest house, ride in the most expensive car, be the biggest dog in the 'hood or eat specialty food but he sure is happy about his life. 

Campy doesn't spend his day of social media comparing himself to others. He doesn't let the lifestyle of someone else be the benchmark for how he needs to live his life.
He doesn't know his ideal weight or what he is suppose to look like because he is just being Campy. He is just being himself.

 Small dog, big personality. We love him just the way he is. 



Comparison can bring feelings of low self confidence, low self worth, depression and anxiety.
As we inch closer to the New Year, I find it important to stress how great it is to be an individual. To be the best you that you can be.

The best you doesn't have to be what you may be comparing yourself to on social media. Social media is a fantastic platform for sharing positive emotions and to feel inspired and motivated but it can also take up a lot of time in your life while wasting a lot of your positive energy, depending who you are comparing yourself to.  
Remember, you always want to surround yourself with people who give you energy, not take it away from you. 

When comparing to others, do you draw much of your attention to what you are not? Do you feel insecure about your body, lifestyle, eating choices or training regime because your life doesn't look like someone else's? 

Every person has a "behind the scenes". Often, you just see clips or perhaps just the final show. The grass may look greener on the other side but you have no idea what it may take to keep the grass looking so perfect all the time. 

As you reflect on 2014 and you dream big for 2015, I encourage you to stop being so hard on yourself if you find that you are always comparing yourself to someone else.

In 20,30 or even 50 years, you want to be able to look back at your life and remember your own personal experiences and accomplishments.

Although it is inspiring and motivating to share success stories with others, do not let the triumphs of someone else trump your achievements.  

I'm sure Campy would agree that life is just too short to worry about what everyone else is doing. It is so much fun to share life with someone else and to celebrate with others but never lose sight of your purpose in life and that is to be the very best you that you can be. 

Campy doesn't know anything about body weight, diets, PR's or money.  Campy is a happiness machine. He is filled with it and loves to give it to us every day.  He has the best life ever and he is just so happy doing the same things every day. But somehow, he makes every day a little more exciting and fun than the last day.

Rather than comparing yourself to someone else, think about your own life. What choices are you making to better yourself? Where were you last year and how has your life changed? Are you moving in the direction of life that you wanted to move in when you found yourself in this exact same spot one year ago?
What habits have you broken and what new choices are you making that are helping you be consistent with your awesome lifestyle?

Have you given thought to the idea that you have accomplished a lot and perhaps done more and have achieved more than a past you?

So, your goal is to be more like Campy.

What makes your tail wag?
What makes you get excited to get out of bed, even though it is just another day? (or is it just another day?)

What makes you so happy about your life and what are you willing to change to help you move closer to your life-long goals?