Alas....The Golden Rule,whatever happened to that I ask?

Putting Ourselves In the Other Man's Shoes

Well folks, I must admit, I find myself a tad squeamish this day concerning my proposal of peace in word form.
Why you may ask? Because people get so ugly! That's why.
I naturally shall not retreat however displaying my obvious slowness steeped in simple I fear, for good judgment has never been my long suit.
I truly never thought a simple and logical proposal of peace could cause humans such discomfort. I must confess as well to my skin being a touch thin when it comes to others responding in such animated fashion and form!

I could almost be persuaded by these animated and riled up folk to retreat from my course of thought in this arena of peace advocacy altogether, when I receive these colorful responses from the pro-war gang, I can almost see their wild gesticulations that accompany their lively and often angry words! Yes, rather disturbing picturing these red faced fellows and gal's all puffed out and bloated, spitting, as they in fury put forth their stance sometimes silly, yet all of our stances are deemed silly by the opposing side generally speaking are they not?

Alas, the art of attempting to walk in another's shoes, in order to gain illuminating insight as to how others in the world see from their side of the mountain, a vantage point differing from ours? I rather flirt with the idea daily in my often abstract pondering, that we as people don't much like this game of attempting to put ourselves in another's position, in order to see his view and point, no, often its more fun to just get mad! As well I understand, for it requires much less intellect I should think to respond in anger, than in the thoughtful game of "wear their shoes for a day game"

I remember years ago being quite impressed by a Priest by the name of Father Martin, known well once, in select circles, I was privileged and honored to meet the very same icon once, who masterfully illustrated in his famous "Chalk Talk Series" That there are two sides indeed to most issues, and oftentimes both have validity and on top of that are true !

The charismatic priest held up a Newsweek magazine, or perhaps Time, and asked, what do you see? Well, hell it was an easy question for all, it was John F. Kennedy, He then turned the magazine around and asked the other side of the classroom, now what do you see?
Well, it was a completely different image altogether, he then in mastery and brilliance asked, well we are all looking at the same magazine or not?
He proceeded to ask why we saw different things, the answer as I am sure you have already detected was due to the fact of differing given vantage points. When he held the magazine exposing the front, to one half the class they saw only JFK, but when he turned the magazine over, and showed the rest of the class the back page, they indeed saw something quite different in image form and content.

Folks, none in the room were lying! None were blind! And all remained of average intelligence I imagine as well. Why then the differing opinions all correct, as to what they saw? Vantage points my friends! Vantage points! You wife naturally has one differing from yours, for she spectates the world from a completely differing vantage point, the same remains true of our children, neighbors, and friends across the world.

The Iraqi people and leaders scratch their head pondering the issue of sovereignty, while we from our vantage point never once even considered it!
They perhaps view us as international bullies, draped in our banner of imperialism sprinkled and accented in democracy, while we view ourselves as the savior and liberator of all the people of earth, while we propagate freedom and democracy. I however in good faith, shall not touch upon other interests we may have in that remote region of the world. They perhaps view us as a foreign force bent on controlling them and their country, while we view ourselves as merely good Samaritans helping out.

I don't feel there are many true war mongers provoking this ugly event in time this sad day, just folk not thinking! Or folk who have never tasted the stench of battle. May I in total reluctance submit the animated abortion issue as an example!
Those against it need not be deemed as fringe fanatics for their perception of life so sacred, neither should those deciding to support abortion be labeled baby killers or murderers, because I do not feel this represents the sentiment of heart of any of these girls, and yes, I shall quickly retreat from this sad subject with no further commentary.

Yes, vantage points, when detected and discerned by utilizing the old "Wear the other guy's shoe's game" We can sidestep many of the personal and global conflicts taking place today! By merely putting ourselves in the other man's shoes!
But they don't fit you exclaim!................exactly my point.
Oh, and in closing, I personally have always found profound wisdom and grace abounding in this old saying not praticed nearly enough by all of us this day.........yes........ "The Golden Rule"
Peace,
Rodney
www.rodneybohen.com