Walk A Mile in Their Shoes

There is an abundance of expressions that tell us not to judge others until we've looked at it from their perspective (or "from their shoes"). It seems like a simple enough concept.  In fact, it seems like it should be second nature given the entitlement epidemic that goes on.  You don't want anyone to judge you or tell you how to live your life, right?  The question is this:  do you exercise that same kindness to others?  Do you practice what you preach when it comes to not being judgmental and cruel when you look at others?

I find that there seems to be a bit of a "prejudice" (definition: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience) against both wealthy people and homeless people.  For whatever reason, people feel the need to look down their noses at how wealthy people spend their money.  For whatever reason, people feel the need to look down their noses at homeless people and assume that they are simply looking for money for booze or drugs.  For whatever reason, single moms are looked down on for being single moms (or dads, for that matter) and divorced couples are looked down on for "giving up."  All this and more by the very same people that don't want people judging them.  The irony drips from the whole thing.

One of the biggest social media examples I've seen, of late, is the meme that talks about the fact that Joel Osteen has a big house, preaches in a big church and yet there are still homeless people/hungry children.  The indication is that Joel Osteen should be living like a pauper because Jesus didn't live a wealthy life.  The indication is that Joel Osteen shouldn't be allowed to experience success because he's a pauper.  The indication is that Joel Osteen living in an apartment would somehow solve the hunger crisis.  All of this "shared" over and over on social media by people that wouldn't even stop on a road side to give a homeless man a sandwich.  All of this "shared" by people who don't donate anywhere near as large a percentage of their income as Joel Osteen does.  All of this "shared" by people that don't want anyone in their pocket telling them how to spend their money or forcing it on them.  When it's brought up to them that they're being judgmental, they get defensive and say that it's not the same thing....except it is.

There are a whole lot of wealthy people who have worked hard and spent a lot of time on their knees praying to get where they are.  They DO give and, more than that, they spread the word of God to millions that wouldn't hear it otherwise.  On the other side of it, there are a whole lot of homeless people who aren't on drugs or drinking themselves into a stupor.  Before you pass judgment on either of these, you should consider that you don't know their story. Before you pass judgment on anyone for how they live their lives, perhaps you should walk a mile in their shoes and attempt to understand.  Even better than that, if you are not going to actively contribute to the problem, maybe you shouldn't comment at all.