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Posted: December 31, 2013 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: blogging, compassion, cycling, exercise, family, free range, freshly pressed, friends, happiness, health, holidays, kindness, life, love, lululemon, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nature, New Year, New Year's, Omaha, paleo, passion, perspective, pilates, running, sports, Thought, trail running, walking, What the Hell, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 13 CommentsMy beerdrunk soul is sadder than all the dead christmas trees of the world-
A former hockey coach once pulled me aside during practice to tell me, “Don’t beat yourself up comparing your abilities to the other players. There will always be players better than you, and worse than you. The most important “thing” is to ask yourself right now: “Am I improving?”
What the hell did that coach just tell me? Seriously old dude, I’m 19, in peak physical shape, my sh!t don’t stink and I’m playing the best hockey of my life …
Fast forward 19 years, and what my caring coach so passionately shared with me – Not comparing myself to “others” is often easier said than done. Open up your heart and eyes this morning and take notice of how we are constantly being bombarded by advertisements preying on our insecurities: You have been a bum all year, You are fat and out of shape, You ate one too many eggnog cheesecake(s) within the past week. Our addiction to social media feeds our jealousy by creating the illusion that other people are living happier, more fulfilling lives than our own.
On this, the most vulnerable day of the year (for many caring people). I implore you to stop comparing yourself to others, and instead compare yourself to the person you were one year ago – right now. Are you happier, more confident and peaceful?
Daily Meditation:
Getting in tune with our true wishes, our deepest wishes that lie underneath our insecurities and envy? Is hard work, and it’s certainly not cool to boast about on FaceTube. What the hell am I trying to say? Setting an intention this New year … Is pretty damn cool!
CultFit 
I feel, too, though that comparing ourselves to ourselves..our younger, single, married, whatever self can certainly get us in trouble, too. So it seems that comparing ourselves can be a tricky thing. I do love looking for growth though, wisdom gained, more peace attained, more courage, etc.
I want to thank you for your blog. I have thoroughly enjoyed both your posts and your commitment to responding to comments. I feel like I’ve made a new friend! Your willingness to examine your deepest fears/thoughts/desires/feelings is so refreshing.
Wishing you a new year of much fulfillment, magic and joy.
I feel like I have certainly made a new friend, its awesome to say the very least! With this post I “think” I sparred you the full fury of my ranting about New Years resolutions … As pedantic, goal oriented and blah blah blah as I am – You have to absolutely love and honor yourself first, before you make a resolution for anything in life. 🙂
May you and your family be well this New Year, inspired each and every moment – Take care my friend and please be well!!!
Thanks! I have no family but am looking forward to moving to CO, making new friends and creating community again after my 13 months on the road.
I understand your feelings about resolutions, as without real intention and commitment and like you state, arising from self love, they don’t last as they seem to come from “what’s wrong” rather than what’s right that you’d like to build upon.
Being introspective and metaphysical, i love when i can rise above the circumstances in my life and being and look at the trail of moments that brought me to where i am now, as i see a cosmic hand in it all, and see my soul’s unfolding and growth. I love to see how the past has prepared me for my present and future. And perhaps that happens due to my willingness to embrace accountability.
The only way to make the change is when we look back to who where we were before, and decide who we want to become… =)
What a perfect post for the New Year. Really. Thanks and wishing u and yours the best for the year to come.
Like always, you are way too kind! Take care this New Year and go Seahawks!!!
You had a very smart hockey coach at 19. 🙂 Happy New Year. Love your blog. Look forward to following along in 2014.
At the time I was young, arrogant, and that he was crazy quite honestly … It took a few years to figure out what he was patiently trying to teach our team. I have a few new things loosely planned for the New Year, I sincerely appreciate your support and motivation! It’s awesome, inspiring individuals such as yourself that keep this blog-o-thing rolling along. Take care my friend and be well!
My thoughts as too! The accompanying images are very, very well chosen.
This post reminded me of this song called “Veil” by Samantha James.
Thank You for visiting my Blog. Happy New Year 2014! 😀
I truly believe that one should never compare with others and similarly not to be envy what others have achieved or have because of nature! 🙂
Happy New Year and thank you so very much for stopping over to have a look around. 🙂
Be well this new year and please take care!
Be yourself…be the best you can be and live your life to the fullest. Take a look in the mirror and love yourself and everything will fall into place. Happy New Year!
Buried conflicts interrupted my sleep. Well executed meditation took me back to satisfied slumber. Be sure to check out this fragrant rice recipe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BG-l56gojjM