Comparisons

 

Choose a positive attitude. We seldom choose what happens to us but we choose how we respond. 

Comparing ourselves to others means less than comparing ourselves to the person we were yesterday. Consistently work on personal growth.

Had a great day? Be grateful and continue to "chop wood, carry water." 

Had a tough day? Resolve to be better and "chop wood, carry water." 

Mom shared a worthy lesson. "Nobody is better than you...and you are no better than anyone else."

Each of us has lessons to share with others. We never know when a simple lesson will change a life. 

Lagniappe. Other philosophies can teach us a lot. From ChatGPT Plus:

The mantra “Chop wood, carry water” comes from Zen Buddhism and has since been adopted in sports, leadership, and personal development as a reminder of the power of discipline and process. It has layers of meaning:

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1. Origins in Zen Practice

In Zen, the phrase often appears in the form:
"Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water."

The lesson is that no matter how much wisdom or success you attain, the fundamentals of life remain the same. Daily tasks, routines, and responsibilities don’t vanish. Enlightenment doesn’t exempt anyone from work—it changes how you experience it.

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2. Discipline and Mastery

The mantra emphasizes focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Mastery comes from repeating simple, essential actions with care.

• In sports: Practicing footwork, conditioning, serving, or defensive stance may feel mundane, but they create the foundation for peak performance.

• In leadership: Building trust, showing up prepared, holding teammates accountable—small acts compound into culture and results.

• In life: Progress happens in the daily habits, not in sudden breakthroughs.

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3. Humility and Grounding

It serves as a counterweight to ego. Success often tempts people to skip fundamentals or assume they’ve “graduated” from basic work. “Chop wood, carry water” insists that the basics always matter.

It also helps to anchor people in the present moment. The wood and water tasks are repetitive but essential—just like breath in meditation, or dribbling in basketball, or passing in volleyball. Done with mindfulness, they become opportunities for growth.

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4. Resilience and Simplicity

When challenges arise, returning to the mantra reminds us:

• Don’t overcomplicate.

• Do the work in front of you.

• Trust that consistent effort builds resilience.

It strips away excuses. Instead of being paralyzed by setbacks or distracted by lofty ambitions, you get back to the next right action—chopping your wood, carrying your water.

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✅ In short, “Chop wood, carry water” is a philosophy of discipline, humility, and presence, reminding us that greatness is built on ordinary tasks done with extraordinary consistency.