Here’s A Different Way For You To Think About Superiority
Because no one on the outside world is superior to you
Let me share with you a quote by Epictetus that improved the way I see the world,
These reasonings have no logical connection, “I am richer than you, therefore I am superior”, “I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am your superior”. The true logical connection is rather this: “I am richer than you, therefore my possessions must exceed yours”, “I am more eloquent than you, therefore my style must surpass yours”.
I was getting it wrong this whole time
Those who were stronger, more appealing or more knowledgeable, were all people that I put on pedestals, thinking them to be superior to me. Of course, I didn’t know any better so the natural path I followed was the inferior one, which left me quite vulnerable and destructive.
I am not sure whether you noticed this as well, but when you find yourself here, it’s so easy to allow someone else to dictate your life because you just don’t feel you’re worthy enough to know better. It definitely is not a good place to be. But do you know what I noticed to be quite interesting?
After I saw this in myself, I started to see that I wasn’t the only one who put these people on pedestals — the people around me did as well
For this reason, I must ask, have you ever done this to yourself? Have you also put someone who is more experienced than you, or who has more money than you on a pedestal, thinking them to be superior to you? Have you felt that sense of inferiority pull your eyes to the ground?
Think about it, please, because you could be allowing someone to dictate your life and, more importantly, your self-worth.
To be honest, this is not the way life was meant to be. If anything, Epictetus teaches us to think differently
Choose to see this differently — these people who you see to be superior to you, have only faced the tides much longer than you have and so, they have gained some valuable experience along the way. This does not mean that they are superior to you, no, they are just further along the path than you are.
Choose to see them rather as teachers
They have the experience that can help you be better if you wish to be. So, humble yourself enough to learn from them, but not so much that you follow them blindly. Accept that the only person who will be superior to you is your future self and let the world outside you help you grow and be better.
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ― Ernest Hemingway
Let us expand on some of the main points here,
Stop Seeing People As Superior And Inferior
People may have more money than you, more knowledge than you or a better style than you, but this does not make them superior to you. This just means that they have worked on themselves long enough to develop these admirable qualities, and if you wish to develop them as well, you can, but just be sure that this is a path you really wish to follow for yourself.
Don’t be influenced by the crowd around you
They may be caught in the same trap, not knowing any better and revering the superior. Seneca knew that a mass crowd is something you cannot entrust yourself without risk, for they can have a great influence over you.
So, if you see someone doing something admirable, and something in you tells you that this path is for you, then follow it not as one who is superior or inferior to others, but as one who is willing to learn to be better than they were before.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ― William Faulkner
Remind Yourself Every Day Who Your Competition Is
Try to change your perspective a little — see yourself as your only competition and the outside world as a great source of many lessons and, quite importantly, inspiration. But this part is not a once-off acknowledgement, it’s a daily commitment, which can get quite difficult.
Why would it be difficult?
Well, for many reasons. One, you will often find yourself in situations that will tempt you to feel inferior or superior, but you have to dive in and save yourself from giving in to this temptation.
Two, some days will feel more difficult than others, which will make the commitment seem impossible, but you have to stay true and strong even on your worst days.
And three, sometimes you will find yourself convinced by a crowd of people, but you have to snap yourself out of it before you fall too deep.
Honestly, there will be many opposing forces. I cannot describe them all to you, but knowing that they all have a similar goal of trying to convince you to give in, will prepare you to recognize and overcome them. Maintaining this will only humble and ready you every day to save yourself from the many forms of resistance.
“Let us cultivate our garden.” ― Voltaire
Let The World Outside Inspire You To Improve
This world is filled with billions of people who have been given lives to live as well. So, understand that there will always be someone who is better than you at something and this is okay. We often need to be humbled at times so that we do not get too ahead of ourselves — we need to know that there are always ways for us to improve.
And this is the role of the outside world — to help us improve ourselves
They will bring you inspiration in different ways and make all of your excuses seem insignificant. They will show you what’s possible if you are willing to work for it. So, welcome in all of your experiences from the outside world, good and bad, and let them improve you in some way. Let them help you wake up each morning ready to explore your own potential and be better than you were the day before.
“Do your best, and be a little better than you are.” ― Gordon B. Hinckley
I firmly believe that we all human beings are one community. We are not, as some would say, crabs in a bucket trying to find our way out. We each are so much more. We each must be so much more.
We must strive to be better whilst helping others to do so as well, letting our own lives serve as beacons of hope for those who will come after us so that they too can believe in something greater and become so.
Sure, it will be tough at times, but what isn’t? There is good and bad in every corner of life, we just have to choose which ones are worth the struggle. And so, I finally leave you with the words of Osho,
“Nobody is superior, nobody is inferior, but nobody is equal either. People are simply unique, incomparable. You are you, I am I. I have to contribute my potential to life; you have to contribute your potential to life. I have to discover my own being; you have to discover your own being.”
Invest In Your Existence, Kind Reader.
