If you could spread a message to the entire world, what would that message be?

We’ve said it since we were all young, but think before you speak. In any kind of interaction, it’s
so important to use perspective. Taking a moment to try to understand what another may be
thinking can change everything.

When I was in high school I had an English teacher who taught us this valuable lesson on
perspective that I still hold close. It wasn’t part of our curriculum, she just wanted to share a
small story from earlier that day. She had gotten into an argument with a coworker which ended up getting pretty heated. It was a situation that probably didn’t need to happen, but it turned out the coworker was dealing with some serious problems outside of work that day. The two of them talked things through afterward and all was well, but it was surprising how much can be hiding behind one person on any given day. She tried to emphasize to my class, how important it is to empathize with others and their emotions. Before saying anything or making any kind of decision, take a moment to think in their shoes. Think about what else may be happening in their life to create this response. This insight could make a huge difference for another who may be struggling. I’ve tried my best to incorporate this into my own interactions in hopes of preventing unnecessary conflicts or possibly help others.