Misery Loves Company
Misery loves company.
When things are not going well, the last thing we want to hear about is others whose lives seem superb. They have what we want. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we feel a sense of bitterness and perhaps even resentment.
On the other hand, when we learn of others who are clearly worse off than we are, we might experience pity or sadness. And we might even feel compelled to want to help them in some way. But, once again, if we’re really honest, there is a part of us that experiences a sense of relief that it’s not us. “There but for the grace of God go I.”
If we step back and look at this thought, it is insane. Consider these lines from A Course in Miracles: “Who has cause for thanks while others have less cause? And who could suffer less because he sees another suffer more?”
The Course goes on to say, “How pitiful and deprecating are such thoughts!”
Indeed.
But when we can see them for what they are, then we can begin the process of changing our thoughts. “Love makes no comparisons.” And choosing the thought system of love leads to gratitude for all and the end of misery.
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