We think we know what someone else is going through, but we don’t. We actually do not have a clue what the next person has, or had to, deal with in their life.
It is so easy to assume that we could have done better. To assume we would not have made the same mistakes they did. Assume that we would have been better prepared. Assume that we would have been more able than them.
What? Are we even listening to this inner voice? Are we even comprehending this judgmental stance? Are we this insensitive that we think we are better?
All too often there are people who stand on the side lines and experience life, or think they do, by participating, after the fact, through their analysis and criticism of another person’s life or circumstances. It is a shallow existence to do this.
Perhaps it is time for all of us to step outside of our comfort zone, and to engage with others that have had experiences different to our own. People that have been through the ravages of life have much to offer.
Many have seen and done things that we could probably never envisage. They have been down paths that have been fraught with obstacles. What these obstacles were is not really of relevance. What is of relevance is that they went down the path, and they may have done this by running, walking, crawling and even by taking only a few steps at a time and then stopping to rest. They may have been brave. They may have been filled with fear. They have made poor choices. They not have had much of a choice at all. The point is – they went down the path. Many were forced to see the dark side of others and the dark side within themselves.
These people carry a lot of wisdom and empathy inside themselves, yet many have become detached from society after years of being judged. Some have chosen to completely withdraw. We all know someone like this. Let’s reach out and encourage these wise people around us to share with others, and in doing so we will all become richer.