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emmacat — 14 years ago — permalink

I vividly remember doing a 180 on a coworker I was having issues with. The very thought of this person made me nauseated, we were always snapping at each other and it was just unsustainable. Then after I had been practicing for a while (and reading a lot), one day I said hi to her in the morning, smiling. I didn't even realize I was smiling at her until I saw her puzzled look. I just started seeing her as a person and not as that person who got on my nerves. I started wondering about her life, her past, her struggles and realized she was just like me, basically. Still annoying on the job, but I looked at her actions and thought: "she's just trying to do good for herself". She's confused, not evil. And I really thought that, in a non condescending way, I felt for her and I was absolutely shocked. I started looking at people's potential instead of their shortcomings. I'm always amazed at  how meditating gives me the space to empathize with people. 

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davidbhayes — 14 years ago — permalink

I started looking at people's potential instead of their shortcomings.

I really like that way of describing the distinction. It rings true to me, and I've never heard it before.

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