Walk [run] a mile in someone else’s shoes

Many years ago I heard this quote, “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”-Jack Handey

I don’t remember how, when, where, or why I stumbled upon this quote but I do remember the quote. If you really think about the point Jack Handey is trying to make you will understand why it is important not to judge others.

First, you are you and the person you are judging or criticizing is not you. You don’t know what it is like to be that person. You have no idea–just because you know someone doesn’t mean you actually know them. I know a lot of people and I can guarantee you that 98% of them, even the people I’m closest too and I consider to be my best friends, don’t know everything about me. I can guarantee you that no one knows how I feel right now, no one knows all of my struggles, few people know my life goals, about 90% of the people I’m close to don’t even know I’m starting grad school in a few weeks–unless they read my blog. There are people I’ve known for years who probably don’t even know what I do for a living. Honestly, my own husband doesn’t even know everything about me or everything I do on a day to day basis and I live with him and see him everyday. I think you get my point now–I hope. I’m certain no one knows what it is like to be me and live my life so how can I say I know what it’s like to be someone else? Knowing this how can anyone criticize or judge anyone? Unless you can physically become another human being and walk [run] in their shoes keep your big mouth shut and keep your comments and negativity to yourself. We judge ourselves and criticize ourselves entirely too much as it is and we don’t need outsiders doing it too.

The second part of the quote is my favorite: That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes. Try wearing someone else’s shoes–you’ll probably hurt your feet and get blisters. If you walk a mile in their shoes just so you can criticize them you deserve to get blisters and remember you’ll have to walk back.

Would you want to walk a mile in all of my shoes??