Looking Twice

“I was angered, for I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet.” … Chinese Proverb.

When we look at situations, too often we may jump to the wrong conclusions, because it takes time and space to truly identify the “value” of an experience, of a turn in your life, of a road you never expected to take. Looking at a situation from a single vantage point is always dangerous … looking at a situation from only your vantage point is even more dangerous.

I love this proverb because it is a stark way to view your lot in life.

Every day we feel emotion, in the now. Every day we see things a certain way, in the now. Every day we react to situations, in the now. But there is usually much more to the story, much more to every story. We know the saying “put yourself in their shoes” and it is a great way to reconsider any situation … whether you have shoes or not.

Are we happy with our lot in life? If so, we are blessed. But if we are angered, maybe we should look twice and consider another outcome. I pray that we have the strength to consider what others face, when we face our own challenges …