Everyday we judge. Those that sit beside us on the bus or walk past us in the mall are judged based on how they dress, what they look like and how they interact with others. We have no idea what those people have gone through in their past or even that very day; and yet still, we judge. The purpose and inspiration of this blog is to strip myself of the comforts of those judgements. Through this blog, I hope to challenge myself and the followers of my blog to look at people differently. While we may never be fully able to remove those pre-judgements, it is my hope that I might be able to learn to set those judgements aside, so that I might find the person inside.
"Living barefoot" means to do life naked. It means to strip away the judgements that have become our best friends, to remove the preconceptions that have become our safe haven. But how? How can I truly feel what others feel, how can I experience their experiences? The answer that I have found is through taking a step in their shoes. This may seem like a cliche statement, one that is said too much and too often that its definition has taken on a purely trivial meaning. However, its truth is far beyond trivial. Throughout the next weeks, I have decided to take a step in the shoes of my neighbours; both gloabally and locally. Every week I will change my life in some way so that I can experience life the way others do. I understand that this is merely a one-week experience that will never allow me to fully experience the lives of others; however, I hope that I simply learn a bit more about the struggles and triumphs of others so that I might grow as an individual.
I challenge you to journey with me through this process. I am not asking you to complete the challenges I take on every week, but I hope that you will take something from my experience and maybe one day, you will choose to look past initial reactions and find a heart yearning for acceptance. Also, I would like to express my desire for your creative suggestions regarding my weekly challenges. Thanks for reading!
I recently heard the remark: When all is known, all can be forgiven. Your remarks above resonate with that. When we begin to learn what people have come through it is much easier to accept and forgive any seeming shortcomings!
ReplyDeleteYou've always been an inspiration. It's even more inspiring that you always strive to be better although you're already such an amazing person. I hope everyone takes something from your blog, I know I will! Best of luck on your journey, I'll be with you every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteYour bestie,
Oana
Nicole,when you wrote about trying to be naked of judgement and walk in other's shoes, it made me think: we try to understand people and to "walk in their shoes," but I don't think we'll understand others anough to do that. Rather, we should take off our shoes for eachother and walk together. By that,I mean we should remove the comfort and protection you were talking about and experience the harsh reality - but experience it together.
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