Until you have walked a mile in "their" shoes, you can be empathetic,

[Peacetrain]

but there is no way you or I or anyone can know exactly the full ramifications, anothers' life story.

You can be empathetic, but not really truly understand what it is to be a minority racial status in a white majority country.

You can be empathetic,, but not really truly understand what it is to be gay or lesbian if you are straight.

You can be empathetic,, but not really truly understand the fear of tomorrow when you have lost your job, and cannot pay the bills,if you have a job and no one is going hungry.

You can be empathetic,,but not truly understand what it means to be a deaf person in a hearing world, a blind person, someone dealing with mental health issues, have a child, parent or yourself deal with serious illness, when you have insurance and good health.

Religious intolerance, Cultural intolerance.. on and on and on..

We all have a story and a right to be heard, but reality is, some have to travel a much bumpier road.

We can listen, listen with our hearts, and try to be there where that person is for the moment. We can think, before we act, speak, and point fingers.

As someone pointed out the other day, I know I am speaking to the choir in DU, but sometimes even the choir can hit some sour notes.

edit for a spelling error!!