Thoughts on comparison

Today as I gathered with priesthood members for a discussion on various recent general conference talks we ended up having a discussion about making comparisons. It was brought up that comparing ourselves to others can be the thief of happiness. Several other such comments were made about the detrimental effects of comparison. I have to admit I was thinking about how it could also be useful for letting us realize things we should work on. I was getting ready to share this thought when another brother in the group shared his thoughts on how this can be a good thing. Some further discussion ensued about comparisons being good or bad. I felt that the key difference was if the comparisons are made with a humble heart or in pride. The humble comparison will seek to learn and improve upon one's self while the comparison made with pride will either seek to put others down in the comparison, or breed discontent at others having or being more than the individual making the comparison. 

We can work to remember that we are all at different stages in our journeys and progress isn't always (isn't usually) linear, we have starts and stops and detours and different paths getting back on track and remember that those who seem to have it all together have had their struggles as well and those who seem to be lagging behind may be dealing with unseen burdens that actually make the progress they make all the more impressive. We can also grant unto ourselves similar grace in recognizing that we may be doing better than we think and so long as we are continuing to reach out to the source of strength, working to bring our steps into alignment with The Way that we are doing what is required and the Lord will help us through.