Boy Scout Troop 325

Scoutmaster Minute

March 20, 2001

Walk A Mile in My Moccasins

Two weeks ago, I talked about the Golden Rule, and how almost every major religion in the world has a version of it. "Treat other people the way you would like to be treated." The American Indians had a similar belief:

"Before you judge someone, walk a long distance in his moccasins."

You might have heard the American translation, "Before you judge someone, walk a mile in their shoes!"

What do you suppose that means?

I think it means, before you criticize someone for the way they have done something, try to put yourself in their place. Perhaps if you were in their place, (in their shoes, so to speak), you might have done the same thing they did. Putting yourself in other peoples place before you judge them is really very similar to "Treat others the way you would like to be treated. If you put yourself in someone else's place, then you gain an understanding of why they did what they did. You can imagine yourself in their place, and hopefully, you will then judge them the way you would want someone to judge you in the place.

You don't have to literally walk a mile in someone else's shoes to imagine what they might be going through. But do take the time to think about it. Patience and understanding are two of the highest values of civilization. They are just below enlightenment.

Thank you, and may God be with you.