Have you ever felt like you cannot understand why someone acts the way that they do? Have you ever judged someone, and then later heard their story and realized that your assumptions were completely wrong? I know that I have.
A couple of years ago, I heard a quote that has not left my mind, and I hope that it never does. It said, “There isn’t a person you wouldn’t love if you could read their story.” How many times have you listened to someone’s background story and decided that you did not love them for who they are? Your answer is probably similar to mine, and my answer is never. When you listen to someone’s life story, you start to understand why they make the decisions that they do. You start to recognize that if you had grown up in their exact same household, had their exact same life experiences, and had their exact same strengths and weaknesses that you would turn out to be the EXACT same way that they are.
A couple semesters ago, I had a classmate who I was put into a group with named “Joe.” I had a really hard time understanding Joe because he did things that I found to be inappropriate for class. For instance, Joe would raise his hand in the middle of a lecture and ask the professor if he wanted any of the extra peach slices that Joe had leftover from his breakfast. Joe would also come into class late, panting and out of breath, and announce to the entire class why he was late. He was hardly ever discreet about anything else that he had to do such as taking off his coat or picking up a dropped pencil. Much of the class found Joe to be irritating; I hate to say that I did as well at first. Just a few short days into the semester though, I realized that I needed to change my attitude or else I would feel miserable during this particular class. This is when I found that quote and my perspective completely changed. I learned to enjoy and accept Joe and his quirks. I knew that he was doing the best that he could for his circumstances.
There isn’t a person that you wouldn’t love if you could read their story . . .
A couple of years ago, I heard a quote that has not left my mind, and I hope that it never does. It said, “There isn’t a person you wouldn’t love if you could read their story.” How many times have you listened to someone’s background story and decided that you did not love them for who they are? Your answer is probably similar to mine, and my answer is never. When you listen to someone’s life story, you start to understand why they make the decisions that they do. You start to recognize that if you had grown up in their exact same household, had their exact same life experiences, and had their exact same strengths and weaknesses that you would turn out to be the EXACT same way that they are.
A couple semesters ago, I had a classmate who I was put into a group with named “Joe.” I had a really hard time understanding Joe because he did things that I found to be inappropriate for class. For instance, Joe would raise his hand in the middle of a lecture and ask the professor if he wanted any of the extra peach slices that Joe had leftover from his breakfast. Joe would also come into class late, panting and out of breath, and announce to the entire class why he was late. He was hardly ever discreet about anything else that he had to do such as taking off his coat or picking up a dropped pencil. Much of the class found Joe to be irritating; I hate to say that I did as well at first. Just a few short days into the semester though, I realized that I needed to change my attitude or else I would feel miserable during this particular class. This is when I found that quote and my perspective completely changed. I learned to enjoy and accept Joe and his quirks. I knew that he was doing the best that he could for his circumstances.
There isn’t a person that you wouldn’t love if you could read their story . . .
You always have a positive outlook toward people. I am impressed with your ability to see people for who they really are and not judge them at first glance. You have a special ability that I look up to.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great quote. I judge people a lot but I don't fully know their story. I need to start looking at the bigger picture and love everyone because I have no idea what the other person is going through in their life.
ReplyDeleteThere's a quote that's going around facebook which is loosely attributed to a Scottish guy:
ReplyDelete"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
Thanks for the reminder Aly!