There’s No Comparison At All

Do you remember what it was like back in school when you had to do exercises in “Compare and Contrast?” What is similar? Where or how do things exist differently? Can you tell them apart? It was probably a language class, but I can remember the phrase showing up in multiple places. Literature. Math. Who knows? That was over 50 years ago. Contrast. Compare.

I struggle at times comparing this part of life to that, here to there, now to then. Why? The point of reference may be fuzzy. Perspective is different. Reality is often different from memory. Equally, I may have no baseline on which a comparison works.

I shared a bit of my comparison in a social posting this morning. One month into fall, and I’m ready for winter! I love the fall and spring with the possibility of stormy weather and cooler temperatures, but I adore winter for its hope of snow! Summer? Too hot. Except, summer here is better than there. It’s milder. The only way it would get any better? Be cooler even still!

I could get real persnickety with the comparison mode!

My bride and I have been empty nesters for a while. Most of our 47+ years of marriage are dominated by the fact we have lived without others within our domicile. It’s been nice. The eaglets flew the coup. Sure, they’ve shown up a time or two since, but for the most part, it’s just us shuffling about in our own routine unworried about disturbing others or being disturbed.

This brings me to my thought this morning.

When you get to enjoy the best of everything, then there’s no comparison to be found. Nothing like it exists anywhere else. Why? Because you found it! Of course, you may contrast it all day long, but you will find nothing exactly you think is equal.

There’s power in comparison. Equally, there’s power in contrast. It helps you know what you like and what you’re willing to aim for. Look at the petrified wood I found about 50 years ago. See the image of a tree? Now, compare it to a tree – no comparison. Contrast it? You’ll find differences all day long.

There’s power in comparison. Equally, there’s power in contrast. It helps you know what you like and what you’re willing to aim for. Look at the petrified wood I found about 50 years ago. See the image of a tree?

Now, compare it to a tree – no real comparison.
Contrast it? You’ll find differences all day long.

Contrasting and Comparing

I’ve learned that there’s nothing to compare to that which satisfies me the most. We may contrast the differences, but I’m probably not interested in wasting time if it doesn’t equal up.

Pick on coffee. From about age 12 forward, I could drink it when I wanted, only, no sugar or cream! Dad’s rules. “You can always add that stuff later on. Learn how to like it black.” Yes, I’ve tasted those liquid candy bars, some call coffee. Yuck! I want black coffee. The stronger, the better. So yes, I can contrast and compare coffee, but it only matters if it’s black and strong. In Petra, Jordan, I wanted to follow this barista to his coffee stand. It was bound to be a good experience!

Dad set me on a path, and I’ve not looked back!

Pick on a vehicle. My grandad had a 1957 Chevrolet Apache pickup, aqua green (for lack of a better color). He may have bought it new, but I remember it as a “work” vehicle. Hence, it was banged up, scratched, and scarred. It had a floor starter button, standard transmission, roll-down windows for A/C, and it often sparked when you twisted wires together to get the heater working. Today’s truck is no comparison, but there’s much contrast between then and now.

Go ahead. Choose any subject matter. You will always see the contrast when you compare.

It’s Easy To Be Down When You Compare

We all know that we are unlike everyone else. There’s nothing to compare to, but a lot of contrast exists. In this “social pressured” world, we want everyone to have the same privileges, even if it means taking from the wealthiest among us. Between them and us, there is no comparison except we all breathe the same air. Right? But let’s contrast the differences, and we’ll write a book!

The Apostle Paul made a unique bit of contrast and comparison without naming anyone, but it seems like he clearly understood the subject matter.

“For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful,
but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
Let such a person consider this,
that what we are in word by letters when we are absent will also be in deed when we are present.
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those, who commend themselves.
But they, measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
We, however, will not boast beyond measure,
but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.
(2 Corinthians 10:10-13 NKJV)

Notice two things.

He contrasted his letter writing to his physical presence. It appears he wants them to know that his written word represents his physical presence. Vice Versa. Essentially, the contrast may be between his physical presence and vocal presentation, but he wants them to know whether he is present or writing them a letter. Both represent themselves completely.

Then, he compared himself to others who set their standards of comparison to themselves. It’s almost as if he was being gauged by someone in a class of their own, by their own standards. It seems the readers were comparing Paul to them. And it affected the reader to compare Paul to them. This doesn’t work because Paul had a mission that included the reader and not the others who set their own comparison standards.

Critical Thought

Maybe this is the point of my morning ruminations. Compare only that which represents yourself. Apples to apples and not to oranges. Contrast the differences between Apples and Oranges and understand the differences. Perhaps there are even similarities—all differences matter.

When I compare myself to myself, I am often my own worst enemy. I dare not compare myself to anyone else because it’s difficult to align my path with theirs. Perspective. Where comparison may do me no good, contrast helps me understand. How? I find my growth path through zones of resistance to change within myself.