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Someone once said that you're known by the company you keep.
I think it's more than that-- you judge yourself against your own ideals, first, but second against your peers. And when you fall short in one way, sometimes you'll decide that keeping up with your peers is good enough.
Who are your peers?
It's silly to measure your housekeeping prowess against someone who stays home and works at it all day, or against another friend who has a maid service. If you compare yourself to too many different people's best accomplishments, you'll drive yourself crazy trying to meet or exceed them all.
On the other hand, what happens if you choose other goals-- ones that those around you aren't even trying to come near? What if you measure your ability to work overtime against your friend the single mother of two children? What if you measure your ability to write professionally against the fanfiction you spend time editing?
It's said that Jesus spent His time hanging out with prostitutes and tax collectors. On the other hand, He wasn't exactly trying to compete with them in screwing people or, um, screwing people. And I don't think He was in danger of forgetting the high moral standards only He was capable of living up to!
If you allow yourself to be surrounded by people who fail, constantly, in every way, at the basics of some common goal, you may end up patting yourself on the back for a less-than-mediocre achievement, simply because it's better than their efforts. This doesn't mean you can't be around them, it simply means you have to continue to be aware of higher goals than the ones they're struggling to meet.
A few friends you can actually look up to would be a good idea, too.
Corrvin
(very lucky to have friends I *can* look up to!)
I think it's more than that-- you judge yourself against your own ideals, first, but second against your peers. And when you fall short in one way, sometimes you'll decide that keeping up with your peers is good enough.
Who are your peers?
It's silly to measure your housekeeping prowess against someone who stays home and works at it all day, or against another friend who has a maid service. If you compare yourself to too many different people's best accomplishments, you'll drive yourself crazy trying to meet or exceed them all.
On the other hand, what happens if you choose other goals-- ones that those around you aren't even trying to come near? What if you measure your ability to work overtime against your friend the single mother of two children? What if you measure your ability to write professionally against the fanfiction you spend time editing?
It's said that Jesus spent His time hanging out with prostitutes and tax collectors. On the other hand, He wasn't exactly trying to compete with them in screwing people or, um, screwing people. And I don't think He was in danger of forgetting the high moral standards only He was capable of living up to!
If you allow yourself to be surrounded by people who fail, constantly, in every way, at the basics of some common goal, you may end up patting yourself on the back for a less-than-mediocre achievement, simply because it's better than their efforts. This doesn't mean you can't be around them, it simply means you have to continue to be aware of higher goals than the ones they're struggling to meet.
A few friends you can actually look up to would be a good idea, too.
Corrvin
(very lucky to have friends I *can* look up to!)
