HOW MANY MILES HAVE YOU WALKED IN SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES?
“Walk a mile in their shoes...”
I remember hearing that expression a lot as a child growing up from my parents. As we are learning more and more about human interactions and developing our sense of self, the lessons of seeing a situation from someone else’s perspective are extremely important. However, this isn’t just a practice for children. It is as important as ever for adults to be able to look at their lives, environments, politics, ethics, morals, values, and belief structures from an outside perspective. I recently read a book that discussed the idea of “Interrogating Your Reality.” Here is a breakdown: Conversations where our mindset is challenged are extremely helpful and should be encouraged, not avoided. When we are asked to give explanation to support what we believe, we either:
a) have the ability to educate someone else on our point of view or
b) we realize that our way of thinking may have some flaws...and then we grow.
Asking questions about why you believe what you believe is a practice in maturity. Argue against yourself. Examine your point of view. Our point of view has been shaped by our parents, neighborhoods, schools, friends, workplaces, the media, our society, etc...and it is important to take a pause from time to time, and make sure we are allowing our brain to process all of these influences rather than unconsciously allowing those factors to make up our mind for us. 👇 👇 👇 👇 👇 👇
When was the last time you approached a situation ‘wearing some other person’s shoes’?
How often do you objectively view another person’s political outlook?
How long has it been since you put yourself into shoes of your boss or a coworker instead of immediately being upset or frustrated by their actions?
Do you ever have a dedication to understand someone or are you always trying to be understood?
👇 👇 👇 👇 👇 👇 I challenge you today:
Instead of jumping into conflict, instead of trying to compare the differences, TRY TO RELATE to others. See their point of view. Have the confidence to question your own motives and thoughts and beliefs, and have the courage to change your mind if you think it would serve you and others better. Your mind is extremely powerful, and as Arthur Fletcher said,
“The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Thank you for reading. As always, I appreciate your likes, comments and shares. - Phillip Andrew 1.24.18
