In this day and age, you and I see the curated selves of others.
We see what is posted Facebook, but not what is left unsaid.
There are prolific individuals on the web with massive followings and mountains of content…yet many will feel alone, and question their value, worth, or expertise. I am connected to some of these individuals.
They may struggle with depression (the same way anyone else would), they may struggle to pay the bills (despite the number of Fortune 500 logos on their site), they may struggle with their weight or body issues.
They may not be what you perceive.
This is why you should avoid being “star struck.” This is why you should avoid putting people on another level, either higher or lower.
Everyone is fighting their own battles, and struggling under the weight of their own reality. While some are undoubtedly satisfied in their career and seemingly “crushing it,” or “killing it,” they could be miserable in their relationship, struggling with their weight, or insecure about their next paycheck.
This is not to say that life is not a delight, an opportunity, and a beautiful thing. Don’t misinterpret what I mean.
This is merely a reminder not to confuse what you see, with what may be the true reality.
Drew Griffin says
This is worthy of discussion. In some sort of context, I think it is almost a natural process to be prejudiced and assume….maybe its akin to wondering about that person to the degree of trying to ask the questions (to themselves) and get the answers (for themselves) yet perversely assuming what is the most comfortable to bare. ‘The Grass Is Always Greener Syndrome’ can be a tricky thing. Yet, considering your point here, its a great exercise to hold judgement or reserve our assumptions by reminding ourselves to re-examine our perceptions.
Jeff Gibbard says
Something I’ve been trying to do lately, when I get jealous of the greener grass on the other side, is take the aspects of my life and layer them onto someone else I know.
I take my accomplishments, my activities, my flaws, and everything else, and I ascribe those to someone else and then try to look at them through my own eyes.
After doing this, I find myself more willing to accept both the good and bad in my own life.
Pamela Fuller says
great point..grass is not always greener!! 🙂