Cynical

When I was an adolescent, I began to realize that the adults in my world were no better than I was at upholding the standards they held up for me. This had a profound effect on me. I became cynical.

"Better him than me"

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.

A Socrates To Me

I was on my way to a training seminar when I experienced one of those encounters that calibrate expectations. I located my luggage at baggage claim, and found my way to the shuttle. As it would happen, it was just the two of us.