Quote of the Day – October 1 2012

“If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
–Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

 

What is it you can’t stand? Who do you despise? Do you have problems with the heads of any particular governments? Can you just not abide at all the people who run the banks? Your boss? People on welfare? Bigots? Rapists? Child Molesters? When was the last time you tried to truly empathize with them? Could you walk a mile in Mitt Romney’s shoes and understand him? I don’t say agree but truly understand his viewpoint and where he’s coming from. To me this is the true epitome of empathy and if you can’t do that then there well, you still haven’t gotten it.

How can we consider ourselves compassionate if we only empathize with the people who we like and agree with. If nothing else, understanding may bring solution where not understanding  just exacerbates. Yes its difficult.  I’ve worked at this most of my life and it saddens me that more don’t do the same.  Very few people are villains in their own mind and understanding may actually make it easier to  change these viewpoints.

Blessings, G

Click on image to see full-size

 

Creation Mandala by G A Rosenberg

 

Journey Mandala by G A Rosenberg