Life

So, we all have our problems in life... some worse than others, and of course when someone comes to us with a problem, all many of us can do is compare them to where we are in our own lives.

The issue with this is... while we may be okay with where we are, while we may feel strong in our position, and on outside observation where we are may be worse than where the other person is... telling someone how much worse you have/had it really does no good. In the end every person has to deal with where they are... not where you are.

When trying to help someone in the situation they're in, it does no good to tell them about people who have it worse, you can't degrade the way they feel. Yes, you may think you're providing examples that should uplift them, but in the end they have to deal with their lives, and their abilities may be less than the other comparisons you're drawing.

To make someone feel better, you first have to understand there's nothing wrong with how they feel in the first place, even if it might seem like an overreaction to a situation that yourself or someone else would handle with more grace and ease. The strength to handle such things doesn't happen all at once, it takes time, and they may have just been lucky and never had to accrue such strength in their life.

We can all hope we don't need the strength to do such things... but when you get there, don't forget the battle you fought, and help people understand they can too... not because where you are is worse, but because whatever is happening in their life will end, and the too will have the strength.