However, if we focus on what is similar, we can more easily find ourselves in others. If we insist, we can find the differences. Life can be full of friends, or full of strangers. Many of us have, at times, forgotten this, but this quote reminds us to try, and enjoy the results. It may not be any more than a drop in the ocean (literally), but every little bit helps.Īs you train your brain to look for the similarities, you will naturally become better at making friends and finding those small bits of love which are such a key part of being human. Even if you don’t share the news with them, you still feel better, and the world becomes a slightly better place. When we see even the slightest bit of ourselves in another, that is a reason to be happy, to delight in having recognized that small portion of ourselves in another. But I feel it is worth the effort, don’t you? Even after a while of trying, it still might not be automatic. We won’t see ourselves in everyone at the start. What I believe we need to do to better live this quote is to focus on what makes us the same. If we focus on what is different, we will never see ourselves in them, unless we accidentally see ourselves in a mirror. We will notice the same needs and basic desires for food, shelter, clothing, as well as for attention, affection, friendship, and significance.Īre you a “glass half full” type or a “glass half empty” type? Yes we all have difference (even identical twins). We will see arms and legs, a mouth and a torso. If we focus on what is the same, we will see fingers and toes, eyes and ears. We will see different heights and widths, different clothes and jewelry. If we are looking for ways that we are different from other people, we will see different hair color and length, different eye color and shape. You could even start with the next person you meet, if you really wanted. I would say that unless you are a hermit, or already treat everyone you know and all whom you meet as long lost friends, you can apply this with every interpersonal interaction. Yes, it’s idealistic, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a step or two in that direction, right? When we can do that, we will give each-other all the love we deserve, and the world will be a much nicer place in which to live. In the ultimate form, we will recognize at least a portion of ourselves in everyone we meet. I believe we can, and should, do a better job of seeing ourselves in others. So many people spend their life focused on themselves or other things, that they don’t notice the similarity in others even when it exists. I also believe it is important to partake in the joy and delight of the discovery.īut before we can acknowledge a similarity, we must first detect it. To start with, I believe it is important to both notice and acknowledge the similarity when it is found, which are the two primary definitions of the word recognize. Why is recognizing ourselves in others important? And in finding that commonality, we share in great delight, because it is always nice to meet someone who is just like us, even if only in one aspect of ourselves. This commonality is what brings forth the feelings of friendship, kinship and of love, be it romantic or otherwise. When we notice it, we have an instant bond, covering the things we have in common. The recognition of ourselves in the other person is what is key. Nearly all the people I have ever had this experience with are still friends at some level. The former is more about a familial or fraternal love, while the latter is about a more romantic love.īoth tend to be immediate and enduring. To me, this is a quote about that odd phenomenon of instant friends and love at first sight. Do you see yourself in this person? Yes, the hair may be different, but what about the eyes? Start by seeing what is similar, and discovery of yourself in others will follow.
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