Leigh Martinuzzi

Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt Comparison; the act or process of comparing which usually has one examining the similarities or dissimilarities of two or more things or people. In this statement, I believe Roosevelt is suggesting that it is the comparing of oneself to another that is the true thief of joy, not the comparison of things. Why does a consideration of our similarities or differences to another deplete our happiness? I feel that the key issue here is that in comparison we focus our attention and energy on what others have, do or their state of being instead of focusing on our own. This weakens our personal progress and also neglects to give thanks to all that we have, do and are. Without this personal gratitude, we develop an attachment to cravings, always wanting to be, do and have more. And yet, we are unable to achieve this right now. Such an expectation of a created false reality will let us down when expectations are not met. Comparing o