To get proper perspective, I think you need to reflect on life from the horizontal and vertical planes. When I refer to the horizontal plane I am speaking of other lives from around the world. When I speak of the vertical plane I am referring to other lives across history. I don’t want to compare myself across too small a sample; I want to compare myself to all that have been and all that are.
Comparing does not mean that I am just trying to determine who is best. That is one-dimensional thinking. I am trying to understand the possibilities. What limitations do I have that have been overcome in the lives of others? How can I take the possibilities, my potentialities and thoroughly maximize them? I want my life to be lived with the greatest possible focus in view of the broadest possible canvas.