I am not so sure the old saying "Walk a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes", meaning to (if taken literally) for a short time live with someone else's life to gain their perspective is such a good idea. For the reason that I think the human race overall has underestimated just how uniquely personal and different each person's life is. Personally I don't think reality itself is uniform across people. There are just too many ways for the brain to wire and I think that's where the above statement falls very short.
What would you do if you could for a while take up residence in someone else's mind. Would their reality be shocking to you? Would you no longer be your self, but rather a product of the new mind...
This idea, underpins the philosophy that we should not assume anything when we meet someone new, but rather be as open as possible. In doing so we may find boundaries and limits within ourselves which we had previously not knowing needed addressing.… It is yet another opportunity to learn.
This whole train of thought came about when I was talking to a friend downstairs who deals with the great amount of physical pain every day. It is part of their condition and even though they are on very strong medication it is evident this is something they face alone and something that is very unique to them and their experience. But we can in contemplating their situation find boundaries within ourselves and to grow beyond them when necessary.
I suspect billions of people have those "Unseen personal challenges". It is time for humanity to start recognizing that as well as the individual. Be thankful for what you have right now.
Learning never stops and it frequently appears as an opportunity when you least expect it.
Take care Patrick
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