There is something about the
encouragement-by-way-of-comparison (EWC) approach that bothers me. What do I
mean by EWC? For instance, say I have a broken leg. I’m somewhat distressed by
my one broken leg because it prevents me from doing those things I could do if
I had no broken leg. This affects my disposition and now I am down. But, I
consider the individual with two broken legs. Furthermore, I consider all of
the things that a two-broken-legged person cannot do that a one-broken-legged
person can. It seems to me that this person with two broken legs is in a much
worse spot than I am. Now I am beginning to feel better. In fact, now things
don’t look so bad. Now, I'm encouraged. This is EWC and it seems, at least to
me, wrong-headed.
