Posted by finelinebob on August 15, 2006, at 0:18:30
In reply to Re: Interesting Article » canadagirl, posted by crazy teresa on August 9, 2006, at 16:42:32
It's not just that trump card getting played out of self motivation, it's the constant reminder in our culture of the "virtue" of realizing that no matter how terrible your pain is, there is always someone who is worse off than you. When you have that "virtue" thrown in your face, the trump card may be more self-preservation than anything else.
Pain is pain. Comparing one person's pain to another's does not invalidate either. Nor does it validate one more than the other. I go so far as to refrain from using the phrase "I know how you feel." I've suffered through many tragedies in my life and I've known others who've endured similar pains, but I'll never claim to have walked their path. We may walk side by side, hand in hand, but we still have our own paths to walk.
To me, the important thing is to keep walking. If you can help someone make that journey, but on their own terms, I think that's the best comfort anyone can be asked to give.
poster:finelinebob
thread:675064
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20060614/msgs/676564.html