By Marnie Pehrson Kuhns

Have you ever said you were too old, too young, too poor, too fat, too thin—or anything along those lines? If so, you’ve used the Law of Relativity… against yourself.

All those statements are comparisons.

The Law of Relativity teaches that things just are. We are the ones who assign meaning—good or bad—based on how they compare to something else. You might say, “A quarter is a big coin.” But compared to what? Sure, it’s bigger than a dime—but smaller than a silver dollar.

The same principle applies to how we see ourselves.

If you’re in your mid-70s and say you’re “too old” to earn a college degree, ask yourself: Compared to what?

My grandfather was 90 years old when he decided to go back to restaurant management school. He made friends with the younger students, studied with them, and genuinely enjoyed their company. He never once said he was too old for anything. He lived like he planned to live forever.

When I met my future husband back in 2017, I told him, “We have a lot in common and I like you—but I think you might be too old for me.” (He’s nearly ten years older.)

His response?
“Try to keep up!”

And he was right! I’ve had to stay in shape just to keep pace with him—he’s like the Energizer Bunny.

So don’t use the Law of Relativity as a weapon against yourself. Use it to your advantage.

When you’re going through something hard, there is always someone out there facing something harder. While that doesn’t always ease the pain, it can shift your perspective—and with that comes gratitude.

There was a time in my life when I had no home of my own, no working car, had just been through a painful and unexpected divorce, and lost my mother—all at once.

And yet… even in the middle of that storm, I found things to be thankful for.
I had my health.
I had my children and grandchildren.
I had incredible friends and a father who opened his home to me.
I had a support system.
And most of all—I had God.

When I look back on that time, I don’t see regret or pain. I remember it as one of the most spiritually rich and enlightening seasons of my life. The circumstances didn’t define me. They didn’t limit my potential. They were just… circumstances.

And when I think about others facing similar trials without faith as their anchor, I realize just how blessed I truly was.

My faith transformed my challenges into blessings.

That’s the power of the Law of Relativity—when you use it with gratitude, perspective, and trust in something greater.

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