There are moments when we all become someone else. Something other than what we are. It takes only a moment. But we spend the rest of our lives looking back at that moment in shame. For one instant, out of a lifetime of service, he became his own worst instincts. — Delenn, “Objects at Rest” (Babylon 5, Season 5, Episode 22)
There are times in our lives when, because of hurt, or immaturity, or anger, or any other strong emotion, we do things that completely alter the way other’s see us. At those moments, we reveal the very worst part of ourselves, the part we choose never to show. It is a choice we make once, but for which consequences can last a lifetime, especially when they involve others. And sometimes, the very worst of these, happen due to misunderstandings. How much different would our lives be if we sought wholeheartedly to understand others, to empathize with them, and to treat them not as we would treat ourselves, but as we would treat those we thought heroes? We would likely be very forgiving. And how much better would life be if others we encountered sought the same?
