Glancing back at last week’s article, I repeat: Emily Dickenson, in one of her poems said, “A word is dead when it is said, some say; I say it just begins to live that day.”
To say comparison is spelled K-I-L-L-E-R is a lesson in stark reality. Comparison is the key element in advertising wherein a competitor’s product is often labeled as Brand X. Brand X always carries a negative connotation.
To compare one person with another sometimes inflicts irreparable damage to the less favorable, and many times it has been known to drive a wedge of separation between both individuals.
Generally, comparison is used by some as a method to encourage people to improve in some way or another not realizing they are demeaning remarks. Parents using this method have set up a scenario of sibling rivalry that can be devastating to all being compared – unfavorably and favorably.
It is funny how two people hear the same thing differently. Funny peculiar not funny ha-ha. Illustration:
Parent: “Why don’t you study hard like your brother and bring your school grades up.”
Child hears: “I’m dumb. I’m not as smart as your brother.”
Not only is the one child put down the other is unfairly put on a pedestal creating friction between the two of them lasting sometimes for a life-time.
Countless times I’ve heard counselees label themselves as the favorite child or least favored child. What is interesting about the former – the favorite child – they are coming for counseling.
Comparison is spelled K-I-L-L-E-R.
Next time: Communication Is a Two-way Avenue
