Who Do You See?
When you walk down a big city sidewalk and see a homeless man with a cup in front of him, who do you see? When you see a woman crying on a park bench talking to herself, who do you see? When you see a picture in the paper of someone arrested for being an addict, who do you see?
Often we make instant judgements about these people. Often we are wrong. I try to see a story…what got them there; did they give up; do they want a better life? When we take a step back and think about each person described above, we realize that no one sets out in life to be homeless, suffer grief, to become an addict or any other mental health disorder. They may have made some bad choices and there are consequences but we all win if we can look beyond those bad choices to see the whole person. After all, we all have made some poor decisions!
Without judgements and stigmas, and with showing some compassion and mercy, our world would be a little brighter. When we help others, even by way of offering a smile, we connect. We show that each and every person is valued. It makes us feel better and the other person to feel better.
Assume there is a story behind the person struggling, do not judge on the superficial moment at hand. See the person, not the place or clothes or even the effects of a disease. Try it…see how your vision changes!
May you truly “see” the people along your path!