“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
–Theodore Roosevelt

My friend Emily posted this on her Facebook page recently.

It was a timely message I desperately needed to hear, and now I find myself thinking of it during the day when I’m reminiscing about the past, or noticing how different (not different in a good way, either) our current house is from houses we’ve owned before, or looking at newer, fancier cars than mine . . .  etc. etc. etc.  ad nauseam.

How can I be joyful if I’m constantly reminding myself of what I don’t have, instead of being grateful for what I do have?  For many years, I’ve kept a gratitude journal.  But sometimes I’ll go for months without writing in it.  I’m in one of those phases right now.  Maybe it’s time to rectify that.