When we interact with people, we sometimes forget that they are, well...people! We can sometimes dehumanize individuals into caricatures or hyperbolic creations of our own prejudices. For instance, when dealing with people that have addiction problems they can become "crackheads" or "drunks". We forget that at one time, they were not this way. These are three dimensional people with thoughts and feelings and souls just the same as us. Lest we pass judgment too quickly, always consider- "But for the grace of God, there go I."
The alcoholic has a name and a face and a father and mother. Behind the facade of his drunken revelry is often a wounded person who has made very bad decisions and is leading a toxic lifestyle as a result. Drowning their sorrows is all they know how to do anymore. Someone who continues to pidgeon-hole them into a certain category of social standing only furthers the problem. Treat folks with dignity, not cutting them too much slack or giving them a free pass; but showing the appropriate amount of compassion is the only way to pierce through to the core of the PERSON to begin to administer the help they need. I have encountered circumstances that lead people of all walks of life into my daily routine. A kindness that doesnt come off as smug is the key to opening up the doors to the inner person. Folks that are "down and out" so to speak receive well-intentioned attention but with an air of condescension. Taking the high road doesn't mean riding on your "high horse." Let's strive to be patient, sincere, and thoughtful when encountering other people who have fallen down in life. After all, we all have a little dirt on us.
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