Comparison is The Thief of Joy

Why do we compare? Does any good ever come from it? We either use comparison to lift ourselves above another or to find we don’t measure up. Neither leaves us feeling sunshine in our souls any day.

I believe that we each have something to offer the world. The subject matter and presentation will vary widely. Some of us will have a large audience, others a small one. But all have a voice that should be heard and will be validated by the enjoyment of others, given the chance. What do you have to offer the world?

I went through a phase where I felt like a useless lump of clay. I was so weak physically, my physiotherapist has recently admitted that was the weirdest day for her. I went to see her Christmas Eve and I suddenly had no muscle mass. I was so weak. This takes a toll on the body but also the emotions. I had worked hard to do all the “right” things. And yet my body continued to fall apart. Where is the fairness in that?

I didn’t want to do anything. I went to bed and didn’t want to get up. What could I offer the world when everything I tried to do became too repetitive. Every time I do a repetitive task there is always a muscle group that has been overworked. Even with careful planning and prevention! Over the past decade I kept losing things and gaining nothing. I couldn’t play the piano the way I used to. I used to crochet. I was learning sign language. I’ve already mentioned running. I gave up my business. We moved off the farm because I couldn’t handle the work and the farm house. I felt stripped down to my bare minimum and now I was just a drain on society. What could I possibly do that would make an impact on the world for the better? I went through a few options. Some of them seemed so right and were painful to pass on. But something was calling to me. I finally figured out what it was saying: Forest Therapy. I am now a certified Forest Therapy guide and I am trained to take groups on Forest Therapy walks.

Disclaimer: I am not a trained Therapist or Counsellor. We will not be working through past issues. This is for those seeking healing that only our beautiful earth can offer. Those who have greater needs mentally or emotionally are encouraged to talk to a trained Mental Health Counsellor or Therapist. And then join us when you are ready! In this space the forest is the therapist and I am here to facilitate.

A story is told of a little girl who had her hand in her pocket for far too long while she and her mom were out running errands. Eventually the mother noticed this strange phenomenon and asked the girl why her hand was in her pocket. The little girl calmly replied, “Because it’s full of glitter”. The mother, caught off guard asked what any mother in her situation would ask. “Why do you have a handful of glitter in your pocket?” “Oh” the girl replies “just in case someone needs celebrating”. How much do you love this little girl? Can we be her? Maybe we can use bubbles instead to save on laundry woes.

Can we be ready with a metaphorical hand of glitter to celebrate anyone? What if she achieves a goal? What if she is able to accomplish something we desire but are not able to accomplish in our current season of life? What if she has children and we don’t have all the children we wanted? (ouch) Can we still celebrate her? What if she is thinner? What if she always has the funny or interesting thing to say in a conversation? Starts a business that has aspects we don’t understand (nudge, wink)? Has a talent we crave? Are we still going to throw our hand in the air and say Wahoo?

Or are we going to be stingy with our glitter celebrations?

I have wanted to start this blog and my Forest Therapy business for a while now. But I worried about all the people with their degrees and certifications and even the group to which I used to belong, a self employed business owner running something that makes sense and is a recognizable business. Well stuff and nonsense, I say now! There is a space for everyone. And we need everyone and whatever they have to offer.

Bring on the glitter!

Regardless of how some will judge what I am doing, I still want to be the person who is ready to celebrate all women. I choose to be that person. That is something I can offer the world despite (and maybe due to) how unempathetic some have been towards me in the past. This letting go of comparison and better than or less than is freeing! Sometimes I forget. But I try again the next time.

I seek to see the good in others. I seek to understand them and their circumstances. I think this adds to my joy. At the end of the day, can I honestly say I have lived true to my highest self and deserve my own little Wahoo? That’s the most important question when deciding where to focus my time and energy.

Another healing tip I have found is to be happy with where I am and what I am doing. Even if it’s not exactly what I would choose. There are days I literally want to run and I have to walk and other days where I figuratively want to run and have to walk. On each of those days, I am happier when I celebrate others. When I choose not to feel more than or less than. It is so much less stressful when I can be me and not feel I have to live up to someone else and their expectations.

How does this relate to healing through forest therapy? It is all interactive. Our physical, mental, spiritual, and social selves. If I only focus on my physical need for strength and healing I will miss so many parts of myself that could result in healing momentum. The pull toward all things bright and beautiful in life. Those things that take us into nature. Join me on my next forest therapy walk to find this joy and desire to celebrate others with me. Head over to my contact page to inquire.

Take care, you’ve got this my sweet friends.