virgin islands scene

I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.
-- Lily Tomlin
 

 

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Beyond initial impressions

Most people are not who you imagine them to be. And certainly you are not exactly as others imagine you to be.

So how can you hope to get along with people you don’t really know, who do not truly know you? You must think and act with respect and humility.

Rather than making weak and shallow assumptions, ask deep and meaningful questions. Replace the language of your own narrow perspective with words that encourage connection and understanding.

Every person you encounter is far more complex than you can ever know. Respect that complexity by not jumping too quickly to judgments and conclusions.

Someone who appears to be a villain when viewed in a single dimension could look more like a saint upon closer inspection. What a shame it would be to dismiss that person before seeing more of the picture.

Understanding is a continuing process. Go beyond initial impressions, keep the process going, and reach higher and higher levels of mutual understanding.

— Ralph Marston

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