DUE Friday, March 7,2014Reflect on the following argument:
We cannot appreciate what we have for its own merit. We see ourselves as fortunate only when we have as much as, or more than, other people. Thus, our judgment of what represents an appropriate limit on anything—on wealth or status or possessions—is never arrived at independently. Instead, we compare ourselves to other people, always wondering if what we have is enough.
Assignment: Do people need to compare themselves with others in order to appreciate what they have?
Plan and write a 2-paragraph response in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and specific examples taken from your readings, studies, or observations. As always, include a 2-3 sentence response to someone else's blog post--building upon it, disagreeing with it, or re-thinking it.
Blog 18
ReplyDeleteTyler Medina
3/2/14
I personally think that other people don't need to compare themselves in order to appreciate what they have, but most people definitely do. I believe that girls compare themselves to other girls to appreciate what they have, mainly their bodies and how they are interacting wise. Although guys compare themselves physically to other guys as well, guys don't get so emotional about it, and it doesn't nearly change how they feel about themselves physically then how girls feel if they saw a girl with a better body. I do compare myself with other guys, and if they have something that I would like to add to myself, I take that as motivation to improve myself in order to appreciate what I have. So most people do need to compare themselves with others in order to appreciate what they have.
There is another way to compare yourself with another to feel good about what you have. This way would be comparing the amount of money or expensive amenities that another person has. If a person in the middle class looks at someone in the lower class, seeing how they live and what they have, the person in the middle class will most likely feel good about what things they have, and they would feel better about themselves in a whole. However, if someone in the middle class takes a looks at a person in the upper class, making over 200,000 dollars a year, living in basically a mansion, having a pool inside the house, a television as big as an elephant, and a wife who is unbelievably beautiful, the person in the middle class won't feel like he has it that good. Although he should be happy with what he has, he feels that it isn't enough, having seen someone with much more than him. So people do need compare themselves with other people in order to feel good about what they have.
While I acknowledge the point you are making about girls comparing themselves to other girls it is accurate for most; not all. Although girls do get emoitional at times guys can get equally emoitonal or even more so. Good over-all and good examples just stereo-tying girls is not 100% accurate.
DeleteBlog 18
ReplyDeleteI do think people should compare themselves to others because this will just motivate them get them thinking that I want this so I have to work hard to get it. So let’s say my one friend has an xbox one and I really want one. This will get me thinking that I have to get enough money to buy one, and how do we get money in the world we live in? By working. I think that this will motivate people to work harder and maybe even outside their comfort zone to get what they need to get what this other person has.
To me this is just a different form of greed humans want everything and if one person has something and we think it’s cool and awesome than we will work to get it maybe do more chores around the house just to earn cash to buy whatever this one person has. Then, the next invention that is so awesome comes out and one person has it then everyone else wants it this is very profitable for businesses and after that the cycle repeats. There will be no end to this unless the human race goes extinct but for now it is just a continuous cycle of human’s greed to want everything
That is true about the greed and it being a never ending cycle. And greed is not a good thing because then people will never be happy with what they got.
DeleteI completely agree with what you're saying. There would be no work ethic if you never had anything to work for. Would that be good for our ever-growing lazy society as it is today? He(ck) no!
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ReplyDeleteI don't feel like I compare myself to others as much. But there are some occasions where I do at times like in school and when I’m with my friends. For example in school and I know I’m not the only one that does this but when we get grades back I like to ask people what they got to see if we are around the same level. I know I'm not the only one because I get people asking me for my grade. Also when I am with my friends because I don't want to look like a “weirdo” in my eyes. So I look at what they wear and what they do.
But I feel like i need to change that because I don't feel like its a good thing. I feel it is not good because different doesn't me bad. Also when I compare myself to other and they have something I cannot have I begin to feel envy. And I know envy is a bad thing from experience from seeing some of my family members that begin to envy each other and stuff. So then it begins into a war of who has the better things.
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ReplyDeletePeople do not need to compare themselves to others in order to appreciate what they do and don’t have. Instead, they should look back at themselves and think about how happy they can be without needing to change. Because if they are happy however they are, they do not need anything more to fulfill themselves. But if they realize that they lack something that would upgrade their lives to make it easier, then they should go ahead and achieve whatever is needed. If a person wants a new car to travel to work, then there’s no fault of getting one; but they have to be sure that they’re not trying to win over someone for having the nicest car. Do not attain something because you need to impress someone or you’re jealous of somebody. It’s only good when you are only attempting to build-up positive thoughts and add on happiness and simplicity to your life.
ReplyDeleteComparing yourself to others are values of the ungrateful. To compare yourself and succeed further than your acquaintances or your mates, will just give yourself more misery. Trying to impress people surrounding you would never end. There would always be someone who’s more fortunate by luck, either with money, or something else. It’s logical that no one can have everything they want. The most beautiful person can possibly not be grateful enough, because she’s single and someone is going out with the most attractive male. Or someone might be cleverer or even have more clothes than her. Only the unfortunate or ungrateful people feed on to their grief because they do not realize that they could be unique simply with whatever they have that even the richest person could not taste, hear, see, smell, or enjoy.
Edwin Unsihuay
ReplyDelete3/6/14
In my opinion, people do not need to compare themselves with others in order to appreciate what they have. People should be happy for what they have because some people might not have the same items as another person does. Its true that some people compare themselves to other people whether It be celebrities or sports players by trying to have the stuff they have such as clothing, appearance, and accessories that they use. We should be happy for who are not for who has the better things then others because it will only lead to a downfall in their lives. The values and qualities that you carry are what should be appreciated as they make up who you are as a human being. To some people nothing goes as planned in this world but you can achieve success and integrity if you stick to being yourself and not comparing yourself to others.
Children such as ages 7-9 would compare themselves to their friends for things such as video games, toys, and yet it could even be with backpacks. An important reason in which people compare themselves to others is because they haven’t found their “inner self “ yet and want to try to fit in with the rest of the group. If one tries to compare them with another then do it the hard way through determination, hard work, and a planning of future goals. In reality, people are free to express themselves in many ways if you want to compare yourself go ahead yet the mere image of despair will show, stick to being yourself and be confident for who you really are, one of us (people).
I think people don’t need to compare themselves to others in order to appreciate what they have. I believe this because just because someone else has more things than you doesn’t mean they are better than you. What you have is what you want and you shouldn’t be jealous of what others have. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others because you should not want to be like someone else. You should always be yourself.
ReplyDeleteWanting what others have is kind of jealousy. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others either, your always better off being yourself. Comparing yourself is bad. For example if you see someone has more stuff than you or more options of clothes and you like there style you shouldn’t look at yourself like your worth less than them. It’s better to see yourselves as you are and not to compare yourself to others.
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DeleteI completely agree with you that peole do not need to compare themselves to other people to appreciate what they have. People should compare themselves to themselves "how can I be a better me today." One does not need others so we can appreciate what we have.
DeleteIn general, people like to judge others, and compare others to themselves. Whether it is looks, or personality or even possessions it is human nature to compare. Sometimes, it is better to compare oneself to another for it makes them want to achieve greater things. As I have observed in real life one of my best friends was jealous I had a certain video game when she didn’t. So, because I had something she liked and wanted she decided to ask her parents to buy it for her. When they wouldn’t buy it she got a job and saved up money for it. Not to mention, that sometimes people become more respectful of what they have when they compare themselves to others. A rich person may compare themselves to a poor person. That person may just decide to donate money to help poor people in need; or visit them and help in other ways. Because that rich person compared themselves to a poor person they might have had appreciated what they had leading to the poor people being benefited too. Yes, sometimes it is necessary to compare yourself to another to appreciate what you have.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, comparing oneself to another person has far worse aspects than positive such as someone becoming depressed or discouraged. Say that a new fashion model makes the latest trend known around the world and everyone is following her. What if that one person feels inadequate that they cannot perform or buy the latest trend? They compared themselves to the model and other people and possibly became depressed and glum. It is possible for someone to become uncomfortable being themself because of who they have compared themself too. In addition if someone compares themselves to another instead of getting a job or saving up or working out a person may become gloomy and feel inadequate. People should not always compare themselves to others because it may just lead to more bad instead of good.
Great job on your response! It does seem to be human nature to compare yourself to others. I myself sometimes find myself doing it as well. For example, my friend Matthew has completed the Pokédex in his Pokémon X game. Because of this, I have strived to complete Pokédex myself. I'm actually doing really well. I have 614 out of 718!
DeleteI believe that whether you need to compare yourself with others depends on your social class. Let’s start with the lower class. They live in poverty and have always had a rough life. Finding a job has been a challenge, therefore meaning you have no money and struggle to find food in order to survive. If you were to compare yourself to another in a higher class, you would feel terrible. That person has a house and a car, while you sit in the streets wallowing away. It will only make life more terrible for you, and you may find yourself depressed at times. It could even lead to death! So in this case, comparing yourself to others will make our life even more miserable.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, those in the middle class and higher need to compare themselves to others. The middle class is not very wealthy but not poor either. In order to appreciate what you have, you have to look at what you have compared to those that are in the middle class. It’s during that Christmas season where you should truly be grateful for what you have and should also donate to those in need. There are also those in the upper class that have all the money in the world and can buy whatever they want. In this upper class, I like to divide them into two groups: the snooty jerks who think they are better than everyone and the kind rich folk that give to the poor. The former of the two are never really grateful for what they have and just think they own the world. They never donate to the needy and just squander their doing whatever they want with it. It’s these types of people that sicken and I wish that they stop being so rude. Fortunately though, there are those in the upper class that do care for others and are willing to donate to the poor. An example of this kind of person would be Bill Gates. He donates a lot of money to charities and is also going to leave just enough money for his kids to make a living and donate the rest to charity. This is truly the ideal rich person that I would respect. People like him actually appreciate what they have and don’t squander their money. To summarize, being in an higher class means you need to compare yourself others, while being in the lower class means you shouldn’t compare yourself to others.
Great response, Erick. I completely agree on you first paragraph. If the people in poverty compare their lives to wealthier people, they’ll probably live in their shadow. They will not be able to enjoy all the opportunities and the great things life has to offer. You do bring out a good point in your second paragraph about all how the middle class and the wealthy people comparing what they have to what the less fortunate people have in order to know they are lucky to have all these wonderful things around them.
DeleteSteven Spielberg, an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and business magnate once said, “It is not my job to compare my movies. I don't like to compare my films with other movies because I don't really have that perspective. It is an intellectual exercise, but it doesn't intuitively come to me.” Spielberg has done several movies such as “Jaws”, “Jurassic Park”, “Lincoln” and “E.T-The Extra-Terrestrial”. He has done several great movies but, never compared them to other movies because he didn’t need to in order to appreciate his masterpieces like his quote says. This is true in several cases. Just because you don’t have the latest model of something or aren’t the best at something like another person, doesn’t mean that you can’t appreciate what you have. If you are content with what you have or what you are then, you don’t need to compare yourself to others. You are unique in your own way and you can be able to appreciate that no one else can be like you so, there is no need to be compare yourself with others.
ReplyDeleteJust because you don’t have the deluxe edition or the latest model of something, doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. There are many people who are satisfied with what they have and are okay with that. I’ve seen several people our age in Guatemala who don’t have all the advantages. They don’t have the new iPhone or brand name clothing. They don’t have all these things that we have. However, they live happy lives. If people compare what they have to what others have, they will never be appreciative or pleased. It will turn into a competition of whose possessions are better. With there being competition, neither person will get to enjoy what they have because they will always be bragging about what they have. There will never be a winner because all of this nonstop competition will eventually end. For example, if two people are constantly trying to get the better model of a phone, their money will eventually be gone and they both will have gone bankrupt from the constant competition and comparison. Therefore, we should be content with what we have and appreciate it.
I agree with every word you say. People should just appreciate the things that they have.We should not worry about the things that we don't have.
DeleteI agree with you for the most part Monica, comparing oneself to another may cause the opposite of appreciating oneself or possessions. But, won't comparing oneself to another also help that person? When you have something or have done something better than another doesn't it make you feel good. Like if you did the best on a test, you compare how well you did to others and become happier because you know what you have done is better. It is going too far as to brag and make fun of others when what you have or who you may be in your opinion is better, but comparing oneself to another can help that person feel and think more positively. Do you agree?
DeleteNo i dont think that people need to compare themselves with other people just to appreciate what they aready have. I think this for a couple of reasons for one people should just think of what they already have. For example people only think about whats new and what they don't have. Instead of this people should consider themselves lucky because they have a house, food, clean water, and cloths. While at the same time people over in Africa, Pacific Area, and Asia die every day from drinking disease infested water and of starvation. In the town of dunellen alone people order food and when they get what they dont want they waist it by throwing it out.While in these areas around the world they wouldn't turn away a single crum of healthy food. Also people drink allthese different kinds of bevrages and only if its the newist thing,in these areas people are drinking polluted water to survive while instead its just making them sicker.
ReplyDeletePeople in this world today need to stop compairing themselves to others and what the other person has that they want. They need to just appreciate what they all ready have because some people in this world would do anythink to have it. People need to stop worrying about the latest phones, clothes, and trend.For example people spend hundreds of dollares on things that they only wear or use until the next newest thing comes out. An example of this is an american teenager he/she may wear american eagle one year.The next year they move on to a different clothing store because thats what everyone else is wearing. All that is is just comparing themselves to others and getting what they have so they can appreciate that. Insteade that teenager should be greatful that he/she has clothes to wear. This is why we should be greatful and content with what we all ready have, and stop comparing are selves to others.
My personal opinion is most people compare themselves to others to appreciate what they have. People do not need to do that. Most do that because there insecure about themselves. They have no self respect and need the misery of others to feel good about themselves and what they have. I personally do not need to compare what I have to what others have.
ReplyDeleteI don't need to do that because I'm self motivated and do not need others in order to appreciate what I have. One should not need the misfortune of others to support and appreciate our own things. One should simply do what we do and have what we have for our own benefit and the benefit of our family and close friends. Not for a stupid little competition "oh I have this," "no I have that," "I'm better than you." It does not make sense why anyone would put themselves to this type of low self respect and esteem. People do not need to compare themselves with others to appreciate what they have. Most people do it to feel good about themselves, but in reality don't need to.
Alain, I agree on your response. People should do what they have the ability to do and that is to benefit us whether it be in the present or in the future. We should value what we already have and not compete with others for more attention or respect. Well thought-out response Alain.
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DeleteJonathan Meyer
ReplyDeleteBlog 18
People always compare themselves to others. Whether it be looks, intelligence, possessions, clothes, you name it, people compare what they have to that of others. Now should people compare themselves to others? Yes, I believe that they do. For one thing, people, especially in first world countries, need to compare what they have to others because it will make them realize how decent or better their life is compared to others. Many people in first world problems like to complain a lot about their lives. There is a sort of joke called first world problems which are small problems only people in the countries like the U.S. would complain about. Many people in our country cut themselves, think horrible thoughts, hate their lives, and kill themselves. These people usually think that they have the worst lives ever. Some people are justified because they are bullied to the most extreme point or their lives really are extremely awful. Others that cut themselves or kill themselves or hate their lives complain about things that are nothing compared to what people in third world countries go through. Some people hate their lives because their parents will never let them go to parties or drink or because they have no friends and no one likes them. In other countries people are kidnapped, raped, made slaves, beaten, starving, disease ridden, homeless, and the list continues. These people don’t have a choice in what their life is like or if they can escape it, in Africa it’s always on the news how small children starve to death and get deathly ill from local water. Slaves get beaten and treated awful. So if someone who hates their lives for small reasons can compare what they have to what people in third world countries have. Someone may hate their life because they have no friends and aren't popular then compare that to the life of a homeless African child and think, ‘Well I have a nice home, a caring family, I get 3 sufficient meals a day, I stay warm during the winter, I have freedom but an African child doesn't have any of that and they still struggle on, so my life isn't that bad.” If someone people sit down and compare their awful and unbearable lives to that of others who are much less fortunate they can realize how fortunate they are and how good their life is. Compare what you have compared to others can save lives and make some people realize they really don’t have it that bad and their lives are good. People may not realize how good they have it until they compare what they have to others.
On a less critical note, comparing oneself and one’s possessions to another may be necessary to appreciate oneself because it will improve one’s self-esteem. A lot of children in the current generation like to buy all of the hip cool new clothes and gadgets. Some may do this because they want it others do it to feel better about themselves. Someone may think that their clothes are ugly and everyone looks better than them, so they will buy the trending clothes and feel better. They may go “oh I fit in now” and may feel good about having nice clothes. They can compare what they have to others and boost how they think of themselves. They will appreciate what they have and have acquired by comparing it to what others have.
DeleteIn addition, comparing oneself to another can change a person for the better. Maybe someone is overweight. They may be happy and living the life, but then compare what they look like to others. They may see how much skinnier everyone else is compared to them. They may realize how being overweight may cause them to be more of an outcast than skinnier people. Comparing themselves to others may want them to change their appearance. Maybe they will start going to the gym, exercising, working out and doing more physical activity to get in shape. When they finally become skinny their lives will get better, more people may talk to them, they will have less chances of diet and weight related diseases, they will be able to do more, and many other positives affects. All of that because by comparing themselves to others they decided to change themselves for the better. Another reason is if someone doesn’t have many friends and not many people like them. They can compare themselves to someone who is very popular. They can notice how they act and treat others and try to fix themselves according to that person’s behavior. It may not make them a whole new and better person but it could change them to be more personable and likeable.
There are many reasons that comparing oneself to another can be a positive thing. What I talked about were just a few examples. Now of course there are negatives of comparing oneself to others. There are ways to appreciate yourself and your possessions without having to compare that to others. Comparing oneself to others, though, is a really helpful thing and it gets a lot of people in better places. Everyone has, does, and will continue to do it. It’s natural.
I'm my opinion I don't think that you schools have to compare your things to someone else's to make you appreciate it. Just because someone might have better things than you doesn't mean you can't appreciate what you have. For example, when I get something new I don't have to compare it to something else someone has. I appreciate what I get because I'm lucky I got it. No one should have to come pare themselves to someone for them to appreciate what they have. no one should have to feel like they should.
ReplyDeleteI don't have to compare anything to anyone to see if I decide to like it or not. No one should have to compare their stuff to someone else's. Just because you have a better phone than me, doesn't mean I don't appreciate what I have. I'm lucky I have anything at all. And I defiantly don't need to compare anything to you to appreciate my things.
I agree Sydney. We don't need to compare ourselves to others in order to appreciate what we already have.
Delete
ReplyDeleteFace it that everyone who has ever dared live on this feeble little world has, at one point (or more) compared themselves with someone else. Why is this, exactly? Some would say it is to appreciate what they have. Some would say to strive to get better and have what the person they are comparing themselves with or more. But what would I say? Because, like, isn’t this what this is about?
I would agree with what ‘Some’ says.
Think about it; How can you really appreciate what you have if you never think of whether or not other people have it? How can you appreciate a two thousand dollar phone if you don’t realize so many others don’t have the same as you?
You can’t! In order to appreciate what you have, you NEED to compare yourself with other people. If not, you will never realize just how lucky you are to have a certain item. You'd never realize that there are people in 3rd World Countries who are starving while you eat Burger King watching ‘Pawn Stars’ or ‘16 And Pregnant’.You’d just think it is something everyone else has, and not as special as it really is.
Let’s face it; we NEED to compare ourselves with other people. If not, well, people would just be careless about what they have, and I for one, would HATE to have that happen in our already Goofed-up Society.
Destiny Lightfoot
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding Writing
Blog 18
People now a days are always comparing themselves to others instead of being who they are. Well, we don't have to. We were made to be ourselves and to be who we are. We're all different for a reason, but people still compare themselves to other and they shouldn't. We honestly don't have to compare ourselves to others to appreciate what we have. It doesn't matter how much you have compared to someone else, well it shouldn't.
We are equal in this world, so it shouldn't matter how much we all have. Everyone is different for a reason and we have the kind of families that we have. If you can appreciate yourself then others will too. All that matter is who you are and how you look at yourself, not what others think or have. If you appreciate your life then that's all that matters.
People have different ways on thinking when it comes to being appreciative. There are some people that appreciate every little thing and show it by doing nice things for someone else in return or by give meaningful thanks constantly. Others may appreciate things, but keep it inside and don’t exactly think of everything positive that’s in their life regularly. Furthermore, some don’t even notice or appreciate all of the great outcomes they’ve received during their life time. These ungrateful people usually complain about all of the negatives instead of realizing that others probably suffer way more than they do. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t always think of things I should be grateful, but it does cross my mind now and then. Once I see or hear about the suffering society, that’s when I begin to acknowledge everything I have that others don’t. My mind starts to drift into visuals or ideas of the bad possibilities that I could’ve had. For example, I first think of my mom and dad and the rest of people that support me in anyway, but mainly my parents. Life without them would make miserable; they are there for me now and have been since I was born. Even though I’ve had some difficulties in our relationship, I can’t imagine my life without my mother and father. I wouldn’t’ be the person I am today and I’m proud of who I am because of them. So, yes, I believe that people need to compare themselves to the public in order for them to appreciate what they have.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa, I do agree with you. When you explain about how their are many different people who take appreciating in a different way, i can understand and relate to that particular point of your response. With that being said, I understand how you visual a bad situation and become appreciative out of that situation. Besides parents, Im appreciate of my health and the abilities I able to do with it. I actually wrote about it in my response, maybe you can take a look at it when you have the free time. Other than that, your response was on point.
DeleteLandin Morris
ReplyDeleteBlog #18
Do you Compare?
People do need to compare themselves to others in order to appreciate the things that they have. For example, most people, as children can be really selfish because they don’t know better. Most people at child want their parents to do whatever they can to make them happy, and most parents will. But at some point in a child’s life, his parents might say “ You need to appreciate the things that you do have, and stop worrying about the things that you don’t have.” At this point if the child does decide to listen to his parent he will start to compare himself to others. For example, when I was growing up I was very fortunate to have parents that spoiled me. At the time I also noticed all the things that I had and how many others didn’t have or just simply couldn’t afford the things that I had. Whether it was toys or clothes, when I started comparing myself to others, the difference was very obvious. This truly did make appreciate the amazing things that I had and blessed I truly were to have and experience things that many others don’t. But at the same time this also brought at jealousy because some people had things that I didn’t have as well. Comparing yourself to others can help you appreciate things but it can also make you jealous and angry at the same time.
Also, when you compare yourself to others you will not only appreciate the things are wanted but the things that are needed. For example, many people have health problems and aren’t able to do certain things or participate in many activities because they have those problems. After I burnt my knee last year in a tragic accident, I didn’t really like how my knees and legs looked because they were burdened with a hideous scare that was going to be with me for the rest of my life. Then I was talking to a friend who told me a friend of his had lost the ability to walk because his hipped was damaged. Even though the damage was in his hip and not his leg, his accident made me thankful that at least I can still use my legs and do things that he unfortunately can’t. He made me grateful and appreciative of my body.
I do not think one has to compare themself to another person in order to appreciate what they have. With other people to compare to, one can never truly be happy, or appreciate what they have. The person with less will always want more, and their envy of the Jones' will bring them to a point they can't compare, and they will never appreciate what they. If anything, having other people to compare oneself to makes someone appreciate their possessions less.
ReplyDeleteWith nobody to compare oneself to, it is much easier to truly appreciate what we have. When one does not have to compare themselves to others, one does not have to go until they like they have won, the can just go until they feel happy. Everyone may want to keep up with the Jones' but that's the problem.
DeleteTiahna Moya
ReplyDeleteFrom my point of view, I believe that no one should have to compare themselves to other people. There’s no need for that. People should stop wondering about what other people have and how much and just worry about themselves. Be more appreciated for your things, even if it’s the little things. At least be happy that you have a roof over your head and somewhere to sleep.
While compared to those people that do compare themselves they shouldn’t. Those people are just wasting their time by analyzing the little detail to the things that they don’t have. For instance people compare how they look or seem to others. If they seem skinny, fit, fat or even fluffy. They shouldn’t worry about the way they look and seem to others but be happy with the way that they are.
Adam Diaz
ReplyDeleteIt is very vague to say people need to compare themselves to appreciate what they have. First I will explain why some people do not need to compare their belongings to other people to be proud of it. Some people really just don't care what people think of them and they will just go to a random store and buy whatever they like whatever they like. So they don't really need to compare their stuff to appreciate what they have because they just like they way it looks or feels. I used to be like that, but I will explain why I changed. I know some people who don't really care and I'm fine with that but I think that the society we live in is just very superficial.
Now I will explain why some people need to compare themselves to appreciate what they have. First off a lot of people compare themselves to others to appreciate what they have and they don't even know they are doing it. Pretty much every single person that wears brand name clothing does it; what is the point of paying more money for something if you don't care what brand it is. I have seen people wear clothes including Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister and I'm just wearing non-name brand clothing and I was very curious why people liked that clothing so much. I asked my dad to get me some and I got some and it was more comfortable and I felt proud to wear it since so many others people wore it and it was considered "cool". So I compared myself to other people's clothing and once I got that clothing I appreciated it. So I believe that it really matters on what person you are talking about.
ReplyDeleteToday’s generation has many problems, as seen with many portrayals by the media of teens, and widely complained about by parents. One of these faults is that the majority of us are ungrateful, and don’t know when to feel fortunate. However, it’s an issue with humans in general, that we can’t really feel fortunate, unless we compare ourselves to others. Being privileged people we are, if we didn’t have media that covered what happens around the world, we really wouldn’t know how lucky we are to have food and a safe to place to sleep. if we didn’t have these examples to view, we really wouldn’t feel that grateful for what we have. We might be thankful for some of our luxury items, such as an Xbox or something, but not for our basic necessities.
So, should we really have to compare ourselves to others to appreciate what we have? The answer is no, we should be thankful for whatever we receive, and recognise that we didn’t need to be given it. However, do most people need to compare themselves to others to feel thankful? The answer is yes. It takes a certain gift to be able to feel thankful for what you have, without comparing yourself to your neighbor. You need to really be connected with the part of yourself that’s able to say, “thank you”. Furthermore, you need to be brought up by people who value appreciation.
Anthony Cifuentes
ReplyDeleteBlog 18
4/1/14
Period 9
Being appreciative is always a life lesson that somebody gets to understand at one point in their life. In my opinion, you do not have to compare yourself to somebody to appreciate what you have. It just takes a special person to understand this. Somebody with experience. Basically it takes a humble man. It’s tough not to compare yourself to somebody else. Especially since it’s all in front of you.
There are two types of comparisons that can be made in this world. One comparison can be jealousy. People can look at somebody's things, and wish that they had those things for themselves. Everybody has experience this. Another type of comparison is one that makes you thankful. You notice that people live bad lives with not a lot of nice things. Then, you realize that you should be proud, grateful, and happy with what you have. But as I was saying before, you don’t always have to compare to be grateful. You just have to notice that you live a nice life, that you are satisfied with.
Throughout life, it is certain that people will discover that they are not the best human being out there, and thorough out experience we will compare ourselves to others who we might or know are better than us at whatever it is. For example a future soccer player will compare himself to famous soccer players until he reaches their level. A amateur writer compares themselves to authors who write amazing books and series like "Divergent" and "The Hunger Games" trilogy. But this is all human nature, we will always tend to compare ourselves to others so we can become better and be de terminated and motivated to continue and work hard to their achievement.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore I think it is necessary that we compare ourselves. This is because it will provided self criticism in which could either help us reach the level or goal that we proceed to but then again it could bring down ourselves to our lowest points. For example I never look at myself and say this is the best that I can be, I always compare myself to others to see flaws in myself, but sometimes I push myself a bit to hard and see myself as my worst enemy. Then again it I still think we should compare ourselves to others.
Moreover, when we should compare ourselves to others because it'll show us what we lack, what we are superior in and what we don't have. When people look at others and see that they have a better job or they have better clothes, a better house, a better lifestyle, it shows that we are missing something in our lives to reach that happiness. That will then cause competition and will make that person strive for that goal. In the other hand, sometimes we have too much and we need to see the view of things through someone else's eye to appreciate what we have. For example I'm grateful that I have clothes, a house, food, and more importantly an education because in some countries they don't even acknowledge education. My parents never reached HS which is why I cherish school even more. All in all, we should always look at ourselves through another perspective to see that we lack and do have.