“No one else has access to the world you carry around within yourself; you are its custodian and entrance. No one else can see the world the way you see it. No one else can feel your life the way you feel it. Thus it is impossible to ever compare two people because each stands on such different ground. When you compare yourself to others, you are inviting envy into your consciousness; it can be a dangerous and destructive guest.”
John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
2 Comments
Earl
Monte, this quote made me think of the old saying, “Don’t judge me until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes” (“Judge Softly” or “Walk a Mile in His Moccasins” — by Mary T. Lathrap).
Now in truth, we can never truly walk that mile in someone else’s shoes. Their experiences, gifts, or burdens are exclusively their own. As O’Donohue states, they are “Standing on Different Ground,” as are we.
Thanks for the thoughts and that glimpse of light. Have a good week!
Monte Stevens
I remember that quote. I agree we can never walk in another’s shoes. In fact it we’re honest about it if we all threw our troubles in a pile we’d probably all pick our own troubles back up rather than another’s. Thanks for commenting and glad the quote conjured up some thinking.