Gamblers Anonymous

Comparison - Envy
Author : GA

Comparison is for competitors, but in this fellowship of ours there is no place for competition, no prize for the top dog, and no dismissal for those of us who are not yet free from gambling.

No matter how long we have been in this fellowship and no matter how long we have been free from gambling we still find ourselves comparing ourselves to others.

“No harm in this”, you may say. “Comparison is natural - everybody does it.” But everybody does not have the complex make-up of the compulsive gambler.

Suppose we compare ourselves to one of those very fortunate members for whom everything seems to go very well - a long time free from gambling, stable home life, successful at work, and all the trappings of success - nice home, holidays abroad, money in the bank. In other words, very secure.

If we don’t match up we may ask ourselves, “Why? I work hard at my program. I work hard every day at my job, and I work hard at building relationships with my family. In other words, I give it my all and yet I don’t get the rewards this other member gets. It’s not fair.”

If we get to this kind of thinking, we are in trouble. We are discontented. We are envious. We are full of self-pity. These are conditions a compulsive gambler must avoid. Instead, let’s open our eyes to the many blessings we do have and not be blinded by the glitter of the other person’s gold.

On the other hand, we may compare ourselves to the member who has very little in the way of material things and whose home life seems to be in regular turmoil. There are frequent bouts of gambling and in general this member is not very successful at what we call recovery. If we put in any effort, however slight, it is not very hard to come out in a favorable light when we compare ourselves to this member.

Remember there will always be greater and lesser persons than us. We should enjoy our own achievements and be glad for those who have achieved greater things. For those less fortunate than ourselves, we should extend the hand of friendship and offer them the knowledge of our experience.

top