I believe it is important to understand and get to know someone before assuming. I am not talking about what their favorite color is or what they want to be when they grow up, but rather their philosophy on life, their morals, their childhood and lifestyle they were raised in, etc. Their favorite food and the types of film they are interested in are fascinating to learn about, sure, but can you really assume or base what kind of person they are off these simple icebreakers?
On the surface, society is unable to read you. They can try to base it off of your appearance, facial expressions, and how you talk, but the undeniable privilege is to understand you as an individual and what has made you the person you are today. Life has thrown me plenty of curve balls that I have struck out on, but would you be able to recognize that at your first encounter with me? What I am trying to get at is that, it is not what is on the surface that defines a person, but instead, what they avoid telling society that does.
A big lesson I have learned in 2021 is to place yourself in the shoes of others--to walk a mile. Most of the time, a person just wants to be heard and understood. What better way to do that than place yourself in their situation and mindset? At my church, I am involved in a group called "Teen Forum." In this group, we do numerous service acts and mission trips to reach out to those in need of a community, a helping hand, or just someone to listen. One of the most eye-opening activities that I have participated in is "Night-in-a-Box." There are millions of people who are less fortunate and do not have the benefit of a roof over their heads. The group and myself walked a mile in the shoes of the homeless and spent a night outside in just a box. It was not until after I placed myself in their lifestyle and opened my heart and mind, that I truly apprehended what they go through on a day-by-day basis.
It is easy to judge. It is more difficult to understand.
You cannot deem someone until you tie the laces of their shoes and walk a mile in them. You would be surprised on how quickly these judgements and assumptions would be proven wrong with just one step. It is a powerful way to understand an individual, and I, myself, am still practicing this concept.
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