Powerful principles. Practical application.

Perspective is a very important thing in life.\r\n\r\nYou might have something smudged on your forehead right now and not even realize it…because of your perspective. At the same time, someone across the room can see it clearly…because they are looking from a different perspective.\r\n

\r\nThat\’s the point Jesus was making in Matthew chapter 7 when he said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother\’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”\r\n\r\nIt was also what Strickland Gillilan was contemplating when he penned these words: \r\n

Watch Yourself Go By

\r\nJust stand aside and watch yourself go by;\r\nThink of yourself as “heâ€� instead of “I.â€�\r\nNote, closely as in other men you note\r\nThe bag-kneed trousers and the seedy coat.\r\nPick flaws; find fault; forget the man is you,\r\nAnd strive to make your estimate ring true.\r\nConfront yourself and look you in the eye-\r\nJust stand aside and watch yourself go by.\r\n\r\nInterpret all your motives just as though\r\nYou looked on one whose aims you did not know.\r\nLet undisguised contempt surge through you when\r\nYou see you shirk, O commonest of men!\r\nDespise your cowardice; condemn whate’er\r\nYou note of falseness in you anywhere.\r\nDefend not one defect that shames your eye-\r\nJust stand aside and watch yourself go by.\r\n\r\nAnd then, with eyes unveiled to what you loathe,\r\nTo sins that with sweet charity you’d clothe,\r\nBack to your self-walled tenement you’ll go\r\nWith tolerance for all who dwell below.\r\nThe faults of others then will dwarf and shrink,\r\nLove’s chain grows stronger by one mighty link,\r\nWhen you, with “heâ€� as substituted for “I,â€�\r\nHave stood aside and watched yourself go by.\r\n\r\nHow can we overcome our tendency to see other\’s faults and ignore our own? You can comment here.