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Post by devilfish on Jun 23, 2013 3:43:12 GMT -5
Hello there. I need some advice. I am the end of my rope, and could use some real help.
I have a sister who is constantly overshadowing me in every single thing. She is better than me at everything, and is always managing to overshadow me in everything I do. Thing is, it's not her fault. She never does it maliciously. It's just the way the world seems to work. I would get a good grade, she gets a new job. I get a new job, she gets a better job. I have a solo in a chorus show, she gets into a car wreck and is miraculously unharmed except for a black eye, she comes to the theater in shades and gets all the attention that night. The worst was when we went to Disney World a few years ago. I got into the hot seat for millionaire play it. I was jazzed on this since I love game shows. I was doing great until I got back to the hotel and my sister and mom tell me that Katie just found out she's pregnant.
Well this is a preface to last year. At my birthday party, my sister made an offhand comment that she is adopting a child. No points then for guessing the person who was promptly forgotten at his own birthday dinner?
Well today she announced in Facebook that she has completed her home study, and now she is awaiting placement of their new bundle of joy. I am fully expecting for her to come to my next birthday dinner with a bassinet in her arms to again totally overshadow me AGAIN. I can't take any of this anymore. I just want a day in the limelight without having to give it up or have it blow up in my face
I don't know what to do anymore. If you have any advice I'd appreciate it
Brian~
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Post by Father Dougal McGuire on Jun 23, 2013 5:34:36 GMT -5
As the "black sheep" in my family, my best advice is to just keep on trucking. Life isn't a race or a competition, but a journey. I know it sounds hard but live your life to its fullest potential, and the rest will fall in place.
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Evil Homer
Hank Scorpio
I am Evil Homer, I am Evil Homer.
Posts: 5,377
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Post by Evil Homer on Jun 23, 2013 5:49:38 GMT -5
As the "black sheep" in my family, my best advice is to just keep on trucking. Life isn't a race or a competition, but a journey. I know it sounds hard but live your life to its fullest potential, and the rest will fall in place. Agreed, I got this saying from Harold and Kumar ( I know it should be one of the last places to get wisdom from), the scene the inmate they encounter in jail " Sometimes you just let the universe unfold on its own"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2013 7:11:35 GMT -5
Basketball sportswear company AND-1 has a shirt that sums up how I go about my business: "I Don't Play For Fame".
Sure, it's nice to be noticed once in awhile and get a pat on the back for something you do or have had happen in your life. But, in the end, it's all about how you go about life to make it possible to live the best one that you can. If you keep comparing yourself to somebody else, you'll never "catch up". And, if it's not your sister, it could be a co-worker, friend or somebody else.
Set your own bar and strive to achieve what you can. Don't worry about the rest. (And, if you get that compliment, a Barry Horowitz "self-pat on the back" always makes me feel good. It's my way of showing people "I'm glad you're impressed, but I just do what I can do.")
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Post by devilfish on Jun 23, 2013 11:38:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I'm sorry to sound like such a jerk, but I get so tired of it all sometimes. I just wish I knew the secret to being happy with myself
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Post by Red Impact on Jun 23, 2013 11:45:01 GMT -5
When she shows her baby off, hold up a small sheet of paper and scream that you just won the lottery.
Really though, it sounds like you're doing well enough for yourself, even if your sister is a one-upper. So the best thing you can do is just take pride in the things you've done. Well, that and try to think of embarrassing old stories about your sister that you can bring out whenever she starts to steal the thunder.
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Post by Hit Girl on Jun 23, 2013 12:25:43 GMT -5
It'd be hilarious if your sister posted a really popular and cool thread on here that gets everyone's attention and overshadows this thread.
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Post by devilfish on Jun 23, 2013 12:35:14 GMT -5
The thing is though, it's not my sister doing this on purpose. She just manages to always outshine me in everything. Either that, or when I try anything for myself, it just blows up in my face, meanwhile she just continually has fortune smile on her
I graduate from college and I spend $200 on ringside seats to a WWE event as a gift. We wind up getting lost on the way to the arena, and miss the whole show. My sister takes my little nephew to a braves game in Atlanta, and a tv producer sees them and on a whim takes them to meet Bobby Cox
I pour my heart and soul into a video game podcast and I just can't get listenership to increase. My sis, on a whim starts a blog about cooking and gets interviewed by half a dozen newspapers. I just tired of everything. I don't know how to deal with all of this blowing up in my face
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Post by TK The Friendly Robot on Jun 23, 2013 12:41:13 GMT -5
Stop focusing on her and focus on you, if you live your life comparing yourself to someone else you're going to be miserable so just forget it and live every day for yourself, you'll be happier that way
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Post by aka Cthulhu on Jun 23, 2013 12:51:01 GMT -5
I can somewhat relate. I've got many cousins my age, and as it happens, I thought of myself pretty lowly when I was younger in a way. I was physically weak due to illness, so I ended up being the one in last place during family gatherings.
The only advice I could say is work even harder to reach what you want to achieve. It's not a competition between you and your sister, but it's definitely a competition within yourself. Seek the path of self improvement, whether it's your podcast or widening your social circle, find ways to get better at it. Of course, eventually you'd have to address your concerns to your sister some day.
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Post by Father Dougal McGuire on Jun 23, 2013 12:56:10 GMT -5
As the "black sheep" in my family, my best advice is to just keep on trucking. Life isn't a race or a competition, but a journey. I know it sounds hard but live your life to its fullest potential, and the rest will fall in place. Agreed, I got this saying from Harold and Kumar ( I know it should be one of the last places to get wisdom from), the scene the inmate they encounter in jail " Sometimes you just let the universe unfold on its own" The funny thing with wisdom is that it can pop up in the most unexpected of places.
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