Your Own Shoes

The older I get the more I realize everyone truly does have their own story. Who they are, where they've been, where they're going, who they are becoming, and so on. One look at another person cannot tell you anything about them no matter how well you think you know people. The way they dress will not tell you about their childhood, how they speak will not tell you about their goals and dreams, how they look in any way, shape or form will never tell you about who they are at the deepest core of them.

You have never walked in their shoes.

By realizing that everyone has their own story I have also realized how judgmental and critical many of us are. I see it all the time, whether it be at a grocery store, near a high school, a restaurant, and more it is constant. Individuals taking a look at another and either creating their story for them, saying hurtful things not knowing what is happening inside of the other person or simply whispering to their friend their own idea of who that other person is that has a finger pointed in their direction.

You have never walked in their shoes.

What if that person you are saying horrible things about had just finished saving a life?
What if that girl you make fun of has recently lost her mother and finds it hard to wake up every morning as her heart is completely broken?
What if that guy that you think is dressed in rags as you point and stare, takes every dollar he has to make donations and help others less fortunate?

You have never walked in their shoes.

I think it is really important for people to understand that we don't know any other story but our own. It doesn't matter what you think you know about another individual , you are not them. There is no way to know, unless they actually tell for themselves,compassion of any kind can go allot farther then judgement. Sometimes all a person needs is a warm smile or an ear.

You have never walked in their shoes.