long before i learned to count, read or even speak, i learned to make comparisons.

“this is bigger than that.”
“that is brighter than this.”

as a kid, i used to wonder if the ability to detect a difference is really crucial to the development of my intellect. of course it is! but what's vital to the development of my heart is the ability to appreciate that differences are not always as important as they seem. i can easily measure size or intensity but a judgement of ‘value’ is always dubious.