Friday, August 22, 2008

Practice Empathy

Sometimes,not infrequently,I find myself wondering exactly what it is that motivates people to do the things they do.
I mean,..what the hell are they thinkin'??

That's when it occurs to me that there was a time in their life that had a profound affect on their demeanor.
Something that set them on course,forever after,in a direction over which they have no physical control..Passengers,on a runaway train of thought.

And so,I have a fall back position .
Whenever I find myself wondering why it is that people do these things,react in that way,and proceed on seemingly arbitrary paths,I remind myself that I'm a people too!..and consider those things that motivate me.

Quite naturally,there are behaviors that escape my ability to reconcile.
Heinous acts that defy comprehension..I'll leave that to those possessed of greater insight than myself.

But still,from time to time,I make it a point to attempt to decipher the story in the eyes of my brethren.
Read the lines on their brow,and walk,at least for a moment,a mile in their shoes.
I find those relatively few interminable minutes 'standing in line' with my fellow sapiens the most productive,and revealing.

..Try it,and discover those things about yourself that are mirrored in others.



'Watchin' Scotty grow'

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