Stop worrying about the 'Jones"

Recently it's become quite shocking (and annoying) to see how people are always worrying about what everyone else is doing. And the gossip is really starting to bother me. My family has a saying, that I'm sure many of you have heard before, "they are trying to keep up with the Jones'"

So I ask you, when and why did this phenomenon start? There's a lot of speculation on the matter. No one can say for sure when something started, but I think I have a pretty good guess as to why. People (or maybe it's just me) have this irrational fear that no one likes them, they are constantly being judged, and that by having more stuff or acting a certain way will some how win their respect.

Some people would say this anomaly is exclusive to Mormon culture, I can neither confirm or deny this notion, but it is very strong in said culture. I think it all comes down to perfectionism. We perceive what we believe to be the "perfect family" and try to copy it so that we too can have a perfect family.

The reason is theory doesn't work is that everyone is different, and everyone's idea of perfect is different. There is also the "closed door" factor. They may seem perfect to the outside world (which is likely their intention) but things are seldom as they seem. I myself have encountered many "shock" moments when I hear of a divorce or something else that was supposed to be "swept under the rug" but some how made it out into the light.

So here is what I propose. Why don't we all stop trying to be each other, stop trying to please each other, and just accept ourselves and everyone else for who they really are. I think we will be pleasantly surprised to find that we will have more friends, and be more liked for being who we are instead of trying to pretend we are someone we're not. And as much as I love the Jones', I am glad I have my own little family.