Comparison can be considered a bad thing, if we are comparing individuals and their value as a person. Human beings were created by God from 'the beginning', and they were created with the ability to reproduce through a male/and female relationship designed through marriage. And every single child born is equally loved in God's eyes, and should be valued equally by each of us. Placing value on people by comparison standards can be a very bad thing, and even an evil thing. But, are all comparisons bad, or harmful?? What about the comparisons which don't affect, nor assign a value to a person ...what about those comparisons???

If we are working on a fine-tuned instrument, or vehicle ...we need the specs to be right.  They need to be precise.

If we are working for a company that needs to meet certain quality measures and specifications, it would be critical that we have something to compare, something that would show us the specifications of what the contract is looking for.

In those cases, we may need a standard, or a template.  But, if we are not performing our work ...and it is our free time, we can just be individuals, and we don't need to be bogged down with comparisons.

During those times, if we are happy and want to sing, others may feel we can't sing well ...but, we should sing anyway!!

Maybe we can never imagine singing publicly, but don't let that quench our precious spirit ...let the joy of our soul sing out!!

And that goes for other things too.  Another example is cooking. I could never impress anyone with my cooking ...and for many years as a single guy, I never felt I had to.  I did compliment others ...and they cooked for me at times, and I impressed them with my eating abilities.  And I think that stood as a happy comparison for both of us.  People often starve for compliments, and I wasn't about to starve for lack of being able to give one. If you can't do something well ...you can always make someone else feel good by complimenting them for doing well.

Perhaps what you do best is simpler than you think ...you can be one of the best at thankfulness.  And thankfulness is often more recognized in those who have no inclination to elevate themselves, but are simply thankful.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Anyone who has gone to the public school has had teachers they've liked more than others.  It's not necessary that you talk about teacher whom you may not like ...and it's not kind. It's also an unhealthy habit to form ...and gossip can hurt.

If a teacher is doing something criminally wrong, of course they should be reported like anyone else.

Yet, teachers have a very important role in life. Teachers are an extended arm of parenting ...and just like parents, they can create an unhealthy environment by comparing.

Let's look at a test.  Everyone has the same test, but not everyone is going to do the same on the test.  That can be perceived as a comparison in itself, but the answers on the test should not be considered equal answers ...compromising truth so that everyone gets the same grade.

Of course, with subjective tests, such as those involving essays, for example, 'How you spent your summer vacation' ...yes, that's different. 

I still have a poetry booklet compiled by my grade school teacher.  Everyone's poem entered the booklet ...and no grade was given.  If you turned in a poem, then it was in the booklet.  I sort of think some of the parents may have helped ...so much so, that in seemed more like a parent's poem.  Other poems ...well, I laugh when I read them, no doubt they had no help with their poems. I feel I can laugh because they cannot hear me, and I am not laughing where they can hear me ...and I'm not recopying their poem here.  And if they could hear me laughing, they'd know I'm also laughing at my own poem.

Chuck Swindoll wrote a book entitled, 'Killing Giants, Pulling Thorns' ...and under 'Thorns' (you know how if feels to get a thorn under ...the skin), he lists: 'Expectations & Disappointments' together, and the previous Chapter is 'Comparisons'.   And I sadly agree that they often do go together, causing much harm.

But, looked at in another way, all three could be motivators for good.  If one had lived under the rule of a cruel dictator, they would likely welcome an opportunity to leave that country. And in comparison, they wouldn't want to go to another country like the one they'd just left.

At the store, we may compare fruit, purchasing fresh fruit ...instead of spoiled or rotting fruit.

Yet, to be realistic, many countries may not have fresh fruit ...unless they are located in a tropical environment.  And if it's not a tropical area, those living in a dictatorship have to eat whatever they can get.  

How about jobs??  Can we compare job opportunities? Even in a democracy, we often take what we can get. And the available jobs may not be very desirable.  What if we don't like the way a company is run?  How do we respond in that situation??

You may not be too fond of certain co-workers, but what if you don't like the corporate heads?  Do you just tolerate the less than favorable conditions ...because you are thankful for a job and a paycheck??

Or do you complain about management??

Even when it seems management is good ...people still complain.  Some people seem to be continually dissatisfied, and they are quite experienced complainers.  And some of those people are also quite effective with stirring up others.  Yes, peer groups and the work environment can be added to the group of 'influencers' ...or teachers.

Who else can be added to the list of influencers??

How about news outlets, and social media??

The news media seems to thrive on stoking the flames of negative comparisons, unfulfilled expectations, and continual disappointments ...and that also crosses over into social media where we get to add our own personal opinions, which are usually based on the negative information we are fed.

Yes, on social media we communicate with friends, making connections ...while inciting more emotion.

But, back to our place of employment ...how would we respond if we were called in by management, confronting us about our attitude, saying they know we've been talking negative about management?  Would we run to the union, or co-workers ...and talk more about management?  Or would we admit we are wrong, apologize to them, and take a hard inward look at ourselves?

I think a large number of us would develop more angst if confronted ...and feel even more negative towards those who confronted us.

Most countries which have very little freedom of choice, and virtually no freedom of speech or expression ...these common people are left with their own free (rather insignificant) thoughts ...and as long as those thoughts are not publicly expressed, they are essentially not known, and not a known threat to the dictatorship. 

Other countries with little valuable resources, living in poverty, and plagued by diseases ...sadly often do not get the attention, and few organizations are available to send food and medical supplies.  These people face a low life expectancy.  And with few expectations among these downtrodden, there are also few disappointments ...and general hopelessness is nearly inescapable.  They cry out in a voice that no one outside their village hears, and they feel no one wants to hear. 

What do they think of their condition??

Yes, what do they think ...and what do you think???