R. Minervini
In Today’s world, We are too busy looking at those around us,
That we would be better off comparing ourselves to nature.
This title might sound odd to most, but if you take the time to join me on this theoretical journey, you might just agree.
Let’s begin with the vocabulary term, Biology, that we all studied back in science class. Can we agree that the term means, The study of living things?
Knowing that, can we then agree that humans and plants, are both in fact, ‘living things.’
Both require water and sunlight to live.
Both require oxygen and nutrients to survive.
And Both, if left undisturbed in a healthy environment, will grow.
So why than, when left to our own thoughts, do we choose to compare ourselves to our human cohorts instead of other living things?
Why do we fall into the social trap of judging our talents, our looks, our wealth and lifestyles, and our achievements to those around us?
I guess the first reason would be that the human-to-human comparison, visually speaking, is obvious and noticeable. We all have legs, arms, we stand upright, have heads on our shoulders, etc. etc.
We may also agree that we are structurally similar and mentally teachable, with lifelong competitive relationships. Which shows that we share the ability to reach the other’s potential.
Maybe we do it, because it is the easiest comparison to make?
Why would we compare ourselves to plants? We are nothing alike.
As far as the Differences between plants and humans. Well, we can always start with the obvious. They look nothing like us, have a completely different chemical makeup, and oftentimes are very green.
Second, we cannot overlook the fact that we walk, talk, travel, and destroy things differently.
But even with these obvious differences, some conceptual similarities are conceivable.
I think it is safe to say, through our non-biologist opinions, that plants do move, they interact with other living things, they relocate and transplant, and can definitely overgrow to the point of destroying what is around them.
OK, So even if I am stretching a bit, for the sake of this theory.
Why would a Personal Growth Coach, choose to tell people to compare themselves to a plant rather than to their brother, neighbor, colleague, or for that matter, any Human?
The most simple and immediate answer is that, “There is Absolutely No Biological way, that any two living ‘human beings,’ can ever be the same… NEVER!”
Even identical twins with identical biology have different likes, dislikes, brain development and conscious thoughts.
We humans are biologically and more importantly neurologically different, EVERY SINGLE TIME!
Especially when we procreate.
Yet, we fall into the trap of comparing every time.
One of the very first things that becomes apparent when speaking with people, is the judgement that we place on ourselves.
And the majority of times, that judgment comes from the comparison to others.
This unfortunate habit, is at the base of many people’s stagnation and state of being dissatisfied
So why? Why do we compare ourselves, or our parents, or our children against their peers?
For humans, it started as a form of survival.
We watched each other search for fruits and berries.. and we followed.
We watched hunters to see where they found prey… and we followed.
We watched clans, as they travelled safely and sometimes not, and ultimately where they settled… and we followed.
It became a watch and learn process.
From growing crops, to developing settlements, to building communities, to later overtaking communities, all the way to modern day technological advances and even disgracefully, wars.
Our lives, especially with the added complexity of Global Politics and Social Media, have become so overlapped with envy that it appears that we have forgotten what our purpose is.
I hereby suggest that on a basic level, our purpose as humans is to procreate.
Forgive this direct theory and conclusion.
I suggest it, only to propose that if we didn’t procreate, we would simply go extinct.
What started as a watch and learn behavior for the purposes of survival, has transitioned to our desire to imitate and acquire for envy or comfort.
We compare what we have and where we are, both figuratively and literally.
We compare by thinking, “if I only do what he/she is doing, then I can have what they have too.” Or even worse, we begin to believe that we can be like them.”
And here lies the problem. We can NEVER be, Anyone.
We are Uniquely, ‘Who We Are.’
We can try, but it is only a mere imitation, a clone, or most recently AI.
Life, due to biological and neurological differences, is incredibly complex.
For the sake of the Personal Growth conversation, “Why do you risk the dangerous and delusional disappointment of even attempting this comparison?”
I REPEAT! There is No Biological way that two humans can ever be, ‘exactly the same.’ And that is including two identical twins.
I ALSO REPEAT! There is no Neurological way, (not to mention each of us having distinct streams of Conscious experiences throughout our development), that two humans can be the same.
Through studies of human psychology and personal development, we know that two people, born of the same parents, but nurtured differently will develop with differing motivations, strengths, and interests.
So, imagine how different two people from two different families would be.
Imagine a young man (Anthony) with an Italian mom and a German dad, comparing himself to another young man (Antoni) with a French mom and an Austrian Dad. They are not only biologically different, but chances are, they have been raised culturally and domestically different.
Now imagine any unfortunate hereditary health condition. Or why negative? Imagine height or structural advantages or exposure to education that one might have over the other.
These comparisons that we as humans make, to be like our neighbors, look like our neighbors, or have what they have, are so absurd. They do nothing more than drive us to compete.
Which leads to the delusional danger of belief and then disappointment.
How can I have, or be like someone else is ‘being,’ when we have completely different biology.
We are nurtured and raised completely differently. We are creating completely different motivations, reaching completely different outcomes, and for completely different purposes.
If we maintain a healthy attempt at striving to achieve something that is similar to what someone else has, I might understand the effort.
But why compare at all?
This is why I suggest the absurd comparison that ‘We Humans’ should compare ourselves to ‘Different’ living things.
I suggest that it would be mentally and emotionally healthier to compare yourself to any other living thing, (such as a plant or a tree), so that the focus is placed on Life. In its purest sense, life is Unique and Individual. We as individuals, depend on each other and the environment, independently of one another.
Like wild Red Poppies or Lavender plants growing in the hills of Provence, France. Each ‘having the ability to grow,’ and each uniquely different.
I would imagine that most of us are naively hopeful.
We look for the fastest convenience, which is our perception by sight.
We quickly ignore the obvious aesthetic differences (short, tall, large, blonde, etc.), and hope that on the inside, we should all be similar…enough. Or so we think?
We convince ourselves that all we must do is what ‘they are doing.’
How could we make such an error?
Using the two examples of Anthony and Antoni above; They may be the same age, the same size, they may have attended the same school from childhood, and raised in the same community.
But would it take a genius to realize that underlying the convenient physical and social comparisons there are a mountain of potential differences?
Now apply the comparison to plants, and you will see that they are not so different.
If two trees of the same species from the same grove drop identical looking seeds, would they always fall in the same soil?
If the seeds fell into the same soil in the same area, would the seedlings germinate at the same time? Would the roots spread identical paths? Would the shoot of the two stems sprouting upwards, look identical?
And if these seeds were nurtured by the same water, climate, and/or obstructions, would they begin to grow pedals and flowers in the same locations?
The obvious answer is no, there would be constant variation.
We, as humans, are no different from plants.
We can naively wish to have what others have, or strive to be like others are, but our wishes would only motivate us to follow, and our attempts would show unique and different results. Not to mention, when we got there, the person we are following and comparing to will have already moved to their next unique direction.
We will we Never be the same. Never!
We will never ‘Be’ exactly where anyone else is. life is constantly moving and growing differently, for each of us.
So why not just live as You!
You are unique! and you should strive to be uniquely you, letting the sunlight hit your face and see which direction your life will take you.
With no comparisons at all, except for the only one that matters, ‘That you are a living thing,’ like every other living thing on earth.
One as unique as every beautifully different flower in every different field.
Strive to be You!
Let others see that your differences are something to be envious of.
Never look in a magazine and wish to look like someone else.
Never look into an expensive car and wish to be like that person driving.
Never look at a family and wish to be laughing like they are.
We have no idea what they looked like before, or how they have acquired what they have, or what they did to be where they are.
We have no idea of how many fortunes or misfortunes families have suffered.
Nor struggles, or arguments, or victories that they have faced, even two minutes earlier.
If anything, just smile, and admire what is around you.
…As if you were walking through the fields of Provence, FR.
Better yet, imagine you are one of the Wild Red Poppies yourself
just blowing in the wind alongside a field of other Red Poppies,
each uniquely different, contributing in your own right, making up the beautiful landscape that is admired from around the world!
