Or in other words, I believe in the ability of human beings being able to put themselves in the position of another person, and trying to understand what it is like to be that certain person. Sounds confusing, I know, but lets dig a little deeper.
I do not, and don't plan on ever owning a business. While I think that if I were properly motivated and had a great idea or service in mind, I could start a business, I still don't believe I ever will. With this statement in mind, I do try and put myself in the position of a business owner, to try and better understand this faucet of life.
On one hand, I know that I would be extremely worried, on a day-to-day business of whether or not my store or service would stay afloat. What if my product becomes outdated? What if a larger company opens up a similar store by mine and can afford to pay their workers less? What if taxes become to high that my store does not make any profit? These are just a few of the questions that I have asked myself when contemplating the idea of starting up my own business.
Again, I am not a business owner, nor do I ever plan on becoming one. At the same time, I do think that I could use the introspections I've made into the world of owning my own business to try and at least understand some of the aspects, challenges, and rewards of opening up my own business.
I use this example because, while I believe that human beings are very capable of walking in somebody else's shoes, most people don't implement this type of thinking in everyday life.
Ever thought how hard it must be to be the leader of a country? Ever contemplated the life of a single mother or father working, taking care of their kids, and continuing their education? Have you ever tried to imagine how hard it would be to live off minimum wage, on your own? What about a young child not having health insurance for a major operation that is needed? Ever imagined what it would be like to be an immigrant trying to make it in a new country? What about having to take care of a parent who is sick? Have you ever noticed how some people have to work twice as hard for half the reward of something? What about not having use of your legs? What about the life of a farmer? A laborer? A night janitor?
While these questions may seem random and out of nowhere, they are examples to me of my own attempt in trying to understand the lives of other people than myself. I do this to try and avoid the passing of unfair judgement. I do this to try and become a more well rounded person. I don't always succeed, and I indeed have to deal with my own biases, however, the effort is definitely present.
So please, try and picture how your life would be if you had to walk in the shoes of somebody else. Imagine how many fights, problems, and altercations could have and could still be avoided if we were better at understanding each other. Don't look at this as a goliath effort on your part, instead, look at it as a collection of various opportunities to try and better understand the people around you. You may not be able to do it your first, second, or forty-fourth try, but you will eventually get there. And when you do, the realizations that you can make are possibly life changing.
Being able to think about walking in the shoes of another person is a process, and not a eureka moment. Instead, it will be a journey, if you will, that will hopefully give you some own insight into your own life.
So all of us, myself included, should strive for the ability to better understand each other. I am sure that if we put forth even a miniscule amount of effort, that the findings will not only be insightful, but also life changing.
