COMPARE & DISPARE
This week in our Tuesday Self-Care Group we looked at what happens when we compare, and how perilous, painful and unkind comparison can be toward ourselves and others. Have you ever asked yourself, "What does it give me when I compare?”
Jealousy
Comparison may often lead to feeling jealous. For instance, maybe you think you're not being as witty as other people, or as together as other Raregivers. Comparison separates us from other people, and it may even create a feeling of alienation. One of our group members said that when she feels jealous or separated, she prays for the person toward whom she is feeling jealous and it shifts how she feels. Prayer is a powerful practice.
Self-compassion
Self-compassion can be an antidote to comparison. You might do a self-compassion, meditation, or a Metta meditation where you begin by offering compassion to yourself, then to the people you love, then to the people who challenge you, and then to the whole world. It's a beautiful practice. Try it and see for yourself.
Abundance vs. Scarcity
Comparison can create polarization when you have the thought, if they have it, I can't. This simply is not true. What if you were to imagine that you are living in an abundant universe and there is more than enough to go around? How would that change your experience?
Am I doing enough?
Many Raregivers, live with the question, "Can I do more for my Rare child? It seems like other people have everything dialed in better than I do. What's wrong with me?” Ouch! In this case, self-acknowledgement will be healing. When you practice it daily, you will begin to recognize how you are actually showing up. You will shift what you are noticing and see the positive rather than the negative. You might even begin to see yourself as the wonderful Raregiver that others see.
A Practice To Grow Self-acknowledgment
Set a timer to go off three times a day and pause.
While you pause, write a list of the things that you have already done in your day
Once you have your list, read it out loud and receive. Take a breath after each thing on your list.
Notice how you feel
Receiving takes practice. It allows you to drink and the good stuff, and except what is rather than going into comparison which can be a deflection from what is true. In order to receive you need to slow down. This audiobook was recommended by one of our group members: "The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down" by Harmon Samim.
Coming up next week: The Places we Go When We Search for Connection
The goal of Angel Aid is to be a place of community and connection. Often the Rare Journey feels like it is laced with loneliness, insecurity, and invisibility. Yet there is much possibility for connection and belonging. Let’s hold space with one another as we feel the understanding that we inherently have for each other.
Please Join Us
You may not realize how much you need the Angel Aid community until you find it.
Zoom Link: Click Here
We look forward to being with you soon.
