Comparison is uniquely effective at stealing joy because it always uses accurate information dishonestly.
The things you see are real. Their marriage does look good. The promotion did happen. What is missing is everything around it, the cost, the fear, the parts nobody posts. You are comparing your interior to their exterior, which is a contest you will lose every time regardless of the facts.
Notice that none of the fruit Paul lists is competitive. There is no ranking in love. Patience is not a market with limited share. These are qualities you can possess in full while everyone around you possesses them in full too.
That is the exit from the trap. Not becoming more impressive, but wanting things that cannot be scarce.
Gratitude is the practice that makes this possible, and it starts with naming what you already have.
