Can you see the world through someone else’s eyes?
Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be someone opposite of you?
Can a young fit female trainer understand what it’s like to be an overweight man in mid life?
Can she see that he has neglected looking after himself in light of providing for his family?
Can she see that his sole focus has been to create a lifestyle, and his “free” time after work is spent being with his family?
Does she know that he has relied on others to feed him, and doesn’t have the time time to learn the science of food?
Can she understand that he fears not being able to feed his children or keep a roof over their head more than he fears a heart attack?
Maybe she can, but probably not.
Because her lens is different.
She is afraid that if her body breaks down she can’t do life.
If she gets sick, she will let down the people who rely on her.
If she feels tired she is grouchy and unpleasant to be around.
She knows that feeling strong increases her confidence.
She is expected to remain fit and healthy by her peers, and if she didn’t maintain that what would they think?
Can a dry doctor help an alcoholic?
Can a school teacher who grew up in an abusive household help a priveledged child?
Can a nurse who is a clean freak help a patient who has never been taught hygiene?
Can someone who values relationships help someone who values material possessions?
Can a parent who grew up without technology understand a child who is growing up with it?
We can try to help each other by forcing our agenda on each other… after all, we know something they don’t know.
Or we can turn away from each other.
But if we really want to help each other, if we want to use our gifts and the things that we know to help a brother up, we must first seek to understand each other.
We have to lean into their experience and work to understand what it would be like to be them.
They can’t hear us if we don’t speak their language.
Who are you trying to reach that isn’t hearing you?