To Be Honest

Comparison can be a double edged sword

"To be honest yall financial situations my biggest motivation; and how you should take statement is based on what you makin'" -Drake

I'm not gonna lie, this is probably my favorite quote by Aubrey and I'm slowly realizing why. I constantly compare myself to others in the most arrogant ways possible. It's consistently conveyed that comparison is the thief of joy. Honestly, you'll never hear me say that idea is wrong. I understand that comparison has the ability to distract from your goals or even put you in a space where you abandon hopes and dreams. Comparison has often been the gun shooting bullets of insecurity in a solo game of Russian roulette.

When I look at the Drake line I see an artist manipulating in real time. It's a line that is supposed to show a level of bravado and feels almost inspirational during your first listen. But look at what he says:

"To be honest yall financial situations my biggest motivation"

He's admitting that despite the success, the riches etc.; he's always looking at the field. He can't help it, like a grandmaster planning his next move and the world is his chess board.

"How you should take that statement is based on what you makin'"

Aubrey shits on the people who know they're not on his level and sows seeds of doubt in the people who are in the 1% yet aren't sure what his personal financial situation is and therefore can't be too sure on how to take the bar.

Both of these show that when it comes to comparing yourself to people there ends up being two categories:

• "How come I couldn't"

• "Is there a reason I can't"

The people he is rapping about are in the first category: "How come I couldn't." Aubrey and I are in the latter category: "Is there a reason I can't."

"Is there a reason I can't."

Not a delusion of grandeur but close enough to it that anything feels possible. Anything feels attainable, especially when you've seen someone else do it or have it. Comparison transforms from the gun in a game of Russian roulette to the only gun in a knife fight.

I saw this quote when scrolling on SubStack the other day and thought it was such a powerful statement. It starts by acknowledging what feels like a universal truth:

"The quickest way to kill and bury your inner muse is by comparing yourself to others. Start where you are with what you have. Focus on your own lane and enjoy the ride."

Amazing advice that if anyone followed it would almost be a guarantee that they would succeed in their endeavors. And like I acknowledged earlier in this post, this is something I wholeheartedly agree with. You have to be content with your individual journey. No one else has the privilege of walking in your shoes and if they end up being crisp Jordans or beat up K Swiss, there will be a unique story to tell.

However:

"With the knowledge that if God puts an idea or goal in your mind, it's meant for you to achieve it. Use people you admire as motivation to fuel your own endeavors."

An idea decided to bless me with its presence and it's my job to attempt to bring that idea to life. I don't know if I'll succeed. I don't know if the end result will live up to the image I had in my head. But, I am fueled by the elation that comes from having the spark of a new idea. I am fueled by assessing the field and saying "I can probably do better than that"; “I can definitely do better than that" or "I want to do better than that."

This brings me back to Drake's words and my personal interpretation of them.

This whole post started with me saying I relate to the Drake bar and I even did a broad breakdown of what the two lines meant to me. But whenever I listen to that part of the song, a more accurate version of what I hear is:

"To be honest yall success in art is my biggest motivation; and how you should take that comment is based on your creative confidence." -Billy Chears

I am constantly assessing the field and attempting to use that information to present the best versions of my own creative projects. That will never stop. I live in a cloud of delusion and arrogance, so I do look at the field and think that I can do better. That will never stop (hopefully relating to more Drake bars will).

In conclusion, comparison is a double-edged sword. It can be deadly and will derail you if you don't have the right mindset to channel it productively. The borderline narcissistic tendencies that Drake and I share aren't necessarily recommended for everyone. But finding the right balance—using others' success as motivation while staying true to your own path—can be transformative. Tread lightly and hopefully you have enough space to grow into the best version of yourself, one that's inspired by others but uniquely your own.