So I saw something on MySpace yesterday that cracked me up and also made me think.
"Don't criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, you will be a mile away AND will have their shoes."
So ok! That is HILARIOUS! But more importantly, what a great attitude to have. I mean, we ALL pre-judge others before first getting to know them or their situation. It's the ones of us who allow that initial "first impression" about another person, their decisions or behavior to keep us from "connecting" who really buy in to the negativity of the first impression. That is really all criticism does. It hurts you MORE than it hurts the other person. At it's very essence, the definition of criticism is: to find fault. How do we get to a place where we can take it one step further? In a world where we are judging this or judging that, and usually in a negative light (as the very definition is "to find negative"), to judge a person or their behavior AFTER we've attempted to connect with them? What makes them tick? What was behind their behavior? All people really want is to be loved and accepted.....what strings are you attaching by judging them before walking a mile in their shoes? What relationships have you deprived yourself of because you couldn't go beyond the judgement? A lesson that is not lost on anyone who volunteered their time this holiday season (i.e. homeless shelter, etc.).
I've been hearing Paolo Nutini's New Shoes A LOT lately (dang it!), but if I were looking for a song to fit this theme....you know, changing your mind....I would definitely say it's worth hearing. And I say..."walk that mile in another's shoes". If you don't think that a pair of shoes can change your life, go have a talk with Cinderella! HA!
"Don't criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, you will be a mile away AND will have their shoes."
So ok! That is HILARIOUS! But more importantly, what a great attitude to have. I mean, we ALL pre-judge others before first getting to know them or their situation. It's the ones of us who allow that initial "first impression" about another person, their decisions or behavior to keep us from "connecting" who really buy in to the negativity of the first impression. That is really all criticism does. It hurts you MORE than it hurts the other person. At it's very essence, the definition of criticism is: to find fault. How do we get to a place where we can take it one step further? In a world where we are judging this or judging that, and usually in a negative light (as the very definition is "to find negative"), to judge a person or their behavior AFTER we've attempted to connect with them? What makes them tick? What was behind their behavior? All people really want is to be loved and accepted.....what strings are you attaching by judging them before walking a mile in their shoes? What relationships have you deprived yourself of because you couldn't go beyond the judgement? A lesson that is not lost on anyone who volunteered their time this holiday season (i.e. homeless shelter, etc.).
I've been hearing Paolo Nutini's New Shoes A LOT lately (dang it!), but if I were looking for a song to fit this theme....you know, changing your mind....I would definitely say it's worth hearing. And I say..."walk that mile in another's shoes". If you don't think that a pair of shoes can change your life, go have a talk with Cinderella! HA!
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