Kind of agree We all deal with problems and pain is relative. Some children go through physical, mental, and sexual abuse as their pain... others don't get into their dream school, Harvard, and instead, have to go to Princeton. I would say looking at this can be different depending on some people. Does it help to bring up worse pain for a person who is struggling? Sometimes it can(i.e. a different outlook on life) sometimes it doesn't (I still feel like crap). It's also hard to tell about this. What if the person who wanted to go to Harvard was trying to get away from their controlling parents and Princeton is down the road so they will still live at home? It can also go down a rabbit trail.... one child was physically abused but another child was physically and sexually abused so obviously the first child needs to suck it up!!! (sarcasm) Obviously an "out there" example but it can be applied to lesser things. Your dad was probably trying to help you look at life a little differently. Maybe someone gave him that speech and he felt better. A for effort but it depends on each individual person on whether it helps or not.