Photo of holiday shoes in Selfridge's, London by Jordana Shalhoub
With the new year approaching, one of my resolutions is to always consider what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes: their challenges, worries and concerns. How often do we form an opinion about someone or something, based on external appearance and/or experience in a similar situation? More tolerance and understanding; less snap judgment should benefit all concerned.
Remember the Joe South song Walk A Mile in my Shoes made popular by Elvis Presley in 1970 and later by Bryan Ferry? "...walk a mile in my shoes and before you abuse, criticise and accuse, walk a mile in my shoes."
When I saw my daughter's photograph, this haiku came to mind:
Someone else's shoes
may prove uncomfortable;
difficult to walk.
Thank you for swinging-by my blog, and thank you for letting me use those quotes. (Granted, I didn't exactly ask you first, but thank you for not getting cross with me, anyway ;) Your post is beautiful & I'm glad I found it.
Posted by: Sheena | 13 July 2007 at 14:10
Thank you for swinging-by my blog, and thank you for letting me use the quotes. (Granted, I didn't exactly ask you, but thank you, anyway ;) Your post is beautiful, and I'm glad I found it.
Posted by: Sheena | 13 July 2007 at 14:09
A wonderful resolution & haiku.
Much peace & love, Deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 29 December 2006 at 08:11
A solid resolution, Tara.
How can one measure that from an accountability perspective to oneself or to another?
Posted by: nutster | 28 December 2006 at 23:40
Yummy shoes, natch!
Lovely post.
Smooch,
The Tart
; *
Posted by: cheap Tarts | 28 December 2006 at 15:56
Christmas blessings to you and may the New Year be filled with many wonderful writing moments.....hugs
Love your post on walking in someone else's shoes....Did you ever hear the story of the man who was feeling sad because he had no shoes? It ends with him meeting the man who had no feet...This short story made a very large impact on me long ago when money was tight for our family.
Posted by: mary jane | 28 December 2006 at 02:56
I would like to be these shoes and see who I become.;)
Posted by: Novel Nymph | 27 December 2006 at 22:45
Tara,
Sage advice to oneself. No further words are necessary to make the point.
rel
Posted by: rel | 27 December 2006 at 22:03
Wise words! A good reminder to think from another's perspective.
Posted by: Kamsin | 27 December 2006 at 21:52
agreeing with giggles here... I think you have been accomplishing this for a very long time; perhaps a life time!
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 27 December 2006 at 21:46
oh gee - I am have a list about a mile long of things I want to change in 2007!
being more tolerant is one of them.
Posted by: miss*R | 27 December 2006 at 21:09
Good idea, wise Tara. I should do this, too. We all should, really.
...if only there were not so many assheads out there! LOL! Just kidding!!!
:)
Posted by: Amber | 27 December 2006 at 18:23
A thought-provoking post...both a gentle reminder of how we should consider others and too, WHAT we should consider when fashion vs function (when it comes to shoes, i always side with the latter ;-)
Posted by: susan | 27 December 2006 at 16:18
Those shoes look like they hurt, cute, lol, but my toes would scream for justice
Posted by: cathy | 27 December 2006 at 16:12
There's nothing like wishing someone else could walk a mile in your shoes to help turn the table and realize it goes both ways. Doing so has opened my eyes and my heart to the plight of others and I find myself looking at things from many angles that I didn't consider before.
A good guideline for the coming year and beyond.
BTW - those shoes! Oh-so-cute but not meant for my feet ;-)
Posted by: Star | 27 December 2006 at 15:54
A good reflection to bring into the new year. Another thing I have learned is always trying to see God in my neighbour's face. We are all created by the same creator, we are all equals.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 27 December 2006 at 15:36
I agree, great motto to live by. Something I adopted many years ago. It definitely opens your world to being more loving. Encountering people without this attitude can be frustrating to me. You certainly write as though it’s been your creed long before now! Great idea to reiterate it though! Love the Photo....who doesn't love shoe pictures?
Posted by: giggles | 27 December 2006 at 15:26
Such a beautiful way to start the new year.
Kindness and compassion rule and
trying to look at the world from another's viewpoint.
Love is all you need.
May there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 27 December 2006 at 14:44
My friends and I have a joke when shoe shopping and looking at fabulous high heels: "how would I look falling down a flight of stairs in these?"
Posted by: twitches | 27 December 2006 at 14:39
We live in a society where forming judgements based on the external is encouraged. Your photo and poem are a good reminder to not do that.
That being said, no way am I wearing shoes like those. I love my toes too much to put them through that experience.
Posted by: ally bean | 27 December 2006 at 13:41