Have you ever considered a world with only one colour, say white? A world where everything from roads and houses to malls, hospitals and furniture is white. At first, it might seem mesmerising, but over time, we might find it strangely monotonous. We’d yearn for the vibrancy that comes from a variety of colours and shades.

Similarly, if everyone looked the same, distinguishing one another would be difficult, leading to misunderstandings and confusion. We rely on our unique appearances to recognise each other, build connections, and celebrate our diversity.

Imagine a world with only one type of food. As delicious as it might be initially, we’d soon tire of eating the same thing day in and day out. Variety in our meals adds spice to our lives and makes each day exciting in its own way.

Consider a world where everyone was poor. In such a world, there might be fewer resources and opportunities to help those in need. On the other hand, if everyone were rich, we might take our blessings for granted and forget the importance of empathy and helping those less fortunate. It’s the balance of wealth and scarcity that often reminds us of the blessings we have and motivates us to work hard and make the world a better place.

We are fortunate to have access to various services like drivers, cooks and servants. These services make our lives easier and allow us to focus on our goals. In a world where everyone is rich, such services might not exist and we’d lose the convenience and support they provide.

So, while a world of uniformity might seem intriguing at first glance, it’s the diversity, contrasts and balance in our world, that make it truly beautiful and teach us valuable lessons about appreciation, empathy and hard work.

That’s why there is a natural balance in life. In the world, we have a diverse range of people, both wealthy and less privileged. Nature has provided us with a variety of fruits and vegetables to enjoy, preventing monotony in our diets. The world’s beauty is enriched by the multitude of colours we see, from the vibrant plants to the colourful flowers.

We all have unique appearances that help us recognise and differentiate from one another. Even though we share similar body parts, we possess distinct features, such as different eye colours, sizes and shapes. Similarly, each of us has different talents and abilities. Some excel in academics, others in sports, some in artistic pursuits, and others in music or other areas. It’s counterproductive to compare our lives to someone else’s and feel inadequate.

We are all unique creations, and no one is inherently ‘bad’ or ‘good’.

It’s a common human tendency to compare ourselves to others, but rather than getting caught up in that, we should redirect our energy towards uncovering our own unique talents, which we often underestimate. Whenever you find yourself doubting your value, just take a moment to look into your parents’ eyes, and you’ll see how much you truly mean to them. That reminder can be a source of great comfort and inspiration.

Today’s era is of social media, everyone has social media accounts where people update their stories and show off their lifestyle, and those who are not able to do all this due to lack of resources, when they see this, they become upset. But we don’t know that people are uploading is true or not, because obviously no one ever uploads their flaws, deprivations, problems and family issues on social media.

There is a very famous quote that we have all heard: “Never judge a book by its cover”. Yes, what we see may not always give a true picture of things.

Have you ever watched a magic show where a paper gets burned, and suddenly a pigeon appears out of thin air? It’s quite surprising, right? But here’s the secret: those magicians use an invisible thread, sometimes called a ‘magic thread.’ They tie the pigeon to it and keep it hidden in their pocket. They also have special paper that they use.

When it’s time for the magic trick, the magician first shows their empty hand to everyone. Then they take out the special paper from their pocket and use it to attach the thread to their hand. Afterward, they burn the paper, which produces a bright flash of light that blinds us for a moment. During that moment, the magician quickly pulls the thread, and the pigeon appears, making it seem like magic.

The point here is that what we see isn’t always the whole truth. Magicians perform these tricks to make themselves appear special and skilled. Similarly, people often show their best, most prosperous sides through their actions and Instagram stories because everyone wants to look their best and feel special. That’s why it’s essential not to compare our lives to others.

Imagine if all brothers and sisters from the same mother were exactly the same. That would be strange, right? But the truth is, we’re all different. We have our own interests and talents. Some kids are good at school, while others excel in different things. Now, think about fingerprints. They’re like our personal ID cards, and guess what? They’re all unique, just like us!

So, comparing our lives to someone else’s is like trying to unlock your phone with someone else’s fingerprint. It just doesn’t work. We’re all special just the way we are, and that’s because we’re all made by the same creator. So, don’t try to be someone else; be proud of who you are.

Adopt these two things in life — patience and gratitude. Be patient about what we don’t have and thank God for what we have, our life will become very peaceful and more than half of our problems will be solved.

Life is very beautiful, we just complicate it by comparing ourselves to others, so stop comparing your life to others and make your life beautiful.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 21st, 2023