Comparisons- my random reflections

Comparisons- my random reflections Sometime during my high school days I learnt a sentence from a reading that “Comparisons are odious”. I did not bother to check the dictionary as I got what I wanted that- comparisons are very bad to do. My mind is used to be filled with the sentence and its applications when my father used to get upset for me for not coming first in the class/school every time. I used to ruminate over this sentence on a repeated basis. But when I searched for the sentence now through all the search engine options available before us, I realised that a whole lot of literature is built on this including psychological theory and critical thinking theory. What I hated as a child has later become an easy way out and pastime for me later. I tend to compare myself with others who are doing better as well as who are not doing so well. Thus comparison has become a source of pain as well as a solace. Now as a parent if I compare my children with their counterparts and now it is their turn to get upset. My wife gets upset when I compare her with others. And I get upset when she or my children compare me with my counterparts. I have also realised that most of my writings do not happen if I don’t compare something with other which are starkly in contrast with each other. Without the comparing two things which are in stark contrast, it is difficult to drive a point very deeply. I am aware I am being simplistic. But whether and when I can get rid of unrelated and unhealthy comparisons really out of my thinking, actions and writings is the big question!