The Facebook boasts of more than 300 million active users linking people to virtual communities. Today, the word "Virtual" aptly describes modern interactions between people because despite the Internet connectivity people still find themselves isolated, lonely and misunderstood.
The computer has replaced face-to-face encounters, telephone conversations and letter writing. The endearing and emotional expressions of human communication skills have been lost, replaced by terse and short sentences over email and Twitter. So much misunderstanding can arise because we do not spend enough time in meaningful, bridge-building conversations.
In 1969, Joe South wrote a song entitled ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoes’. It is a song concerning intolerance and bigotry. The singer cries out for understanding, tolerance and compassion. (Click on the title to hear Elvis Presley’s rendition).
If I could be you, if you could be me for just one hour
If we could find a way to get inside each other's mind
If you could see you through my eyes instead your own ego
I believe you'd be surprised to see that you've been blind, Mmm
Walk a mile in my shoes, just walk a mile in my shoes
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Then walk a mile in my shoes
Now if we spend the day throwin' stones at one another
'Cause I don't think or wear my hair the same way you do
Well, I may be common people but I'm your brother
And when you strike out you're tryin' to hurt me it's hurtin' you, Lord have mercy
Now the whole world you see around you is just a reflection
And the law of common say you’re gonna reap just what you sow
So unless you’ve lived a life of total perfection
You better be careful of every stone that you should throw, yeh-heh
Now there are people on reservations and out in the ghetto
And brother there, but, for the grace of God, go you and I,
If I only had wings of a little angel don't you know, I'd fly
To the top of a mountain and then I'd cry, cry, cry
Let us not wait on each other to bridge the gaps. Instead, let us reach out and take the first step to settle any misunderstanding, misperception and quarrel. It is during the act of trying to understand others that we reveal ourselves and enable a reciprocal reaction. This requires time, patience and face-to-face encounters that are not restrained by an impersonal medium or interface.
When the Bible in Prov 4:7b states “though it cost all you have, get understanding”, it speaks not of understanding with the mind, but the active application of the heart.
Understanding things, principles and concepts is very different from trying to understand people. Understanding people is possible only at a very personal, emotive level. This is costly; we pay not only with our time, effort and money, but also with our privacy, pride and ego.
The more deeply we understand other people, the more appreciative and reverent we will feel about them. One heart declares itself to another heart, differences are diminished and what is common becomes the bridge over which understanding can cross.
When one reaches out to touch the heart of a stranger - this will be a most holy and spiritual act.
When the Bible in Prov 4:7b states “though it cost all you have, get understanding”, it speaks not of understanding with the mind, but the active application of the heart.
Understanding things, principles and concepts is very different from trying to understand people. Understanding people is possible only at a very personal, emotive level. This is costly; we pay not only with our time, effort and money, but also with our privacy, pride and ego.
The more deeply we understand other people, the more appreciative and reverent we will feel about them. One heart declares itself to another heart, differences are diminished and what is common becomes the bridge over which understanding can cross.
When one reaches out to touch the heart of a stranger - this will be a most holy and spiritual act.
Lionel
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