Comparison is the Death of Joy

Recently, I attended the sheep show at California State Fair. Being a true sheep girl at heart, I had no problem sitting in the sweltering heat from 8 AM when the show started, to 3 PM when the last animals were picked for the FFA Final Drive.

Since I am no longer an exhibitor, I see everything in a much different perspective now. And one thing I couldn’t help but notice was the alarming amount of kids who weren’t focused on themselves. As soon as they would hit the ring, their eyes weren’t on the judge or on their own animals. Their eyes wandered to every other sheep, scoping out the competition. Don’t get me wrong, I love to evaluate good sheep when I see them. But not when I’m in the ring.

The truth is, we’re all our own biggest competitors. If you strive to do better and be better every time you enter the ring, you will improve both yourself and your livestock. If you focus on being better than everyone else instead of how good you can be as an individual, you’ll be in a constant state of unhappiness. Mark Twain once said, “comparison is the death of joy.” Don’t let comparison ruin your joy.

-Taylor Richardson

“Doing what I love, loving what I do,” is the quote that I base my life upon. Inspired by my grandfather, I strive to be a service-minded individual in both the stock show and agriculture industries. Growing up you could find me in the barns with my lambs and goats, serving as an officer for my FFA chapter, or playing badminton! Though my hometown is in Sonoma County, California I am currently living in Chico, California as I pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science and a teaching credential in Agriculture Education. I look forward to the next year guest blogging for Weaver Leather Livestock and am so grateful for the opportunity!