A friend relayed stories from a reunion-like event he attended. He told me about the lives of many friends, lives different from ours. I found myself making some comparisons including quantifying what people owned, reviewing the experiences they've had, and wondering about my choices in life. Then I reminded myself of the advice I so often give my own children: When you play the compare game, no one wins.
Bottom line is that we can't live all lives, but if we're open minded we can experience many more paths in life by simply being open to learning about and sharing in others' lives. For example, I would never have some of the experiences I have or visit some of the places I visit if I was closed minded to friends' and family members' various life paths. The more open minded and accepting you are about those differences, the more opportunities you'll have to experience the many avenues of life. If you're close minded, jealous, or too judgemental about the ways others live, you actually narrow the experiences you're able to have and fullness life offers.
That said, it's okay to compare sometimes as a point of reflection, decision making, and planning next steps. For example, as my friend relayed one story about a home in a beautiful place, I considered potentential home repairs and possible home changes for my own home--that story brought some good ideas and inspiration. Another story reminded me of life's unexpected turns which can happen at any time in anyone's life--turns that we don't expect, and turns that make us appreciate the friendships and good family relationships we have.
As with all things in life, no one has it all and no one is without any capacity. The key is to build and live the best possible life that you can--a life that is meaningful to you and a life that includes service, care, and camaraderies with others too.
There are more lives we won't live than the one life we do live, however our openness to the lives around us make our lives fuller and more meaningful. Embrace each others paths, rather than comparing those paths. Onward.