I was probably late to the game in figuring out that our most of our perceptions of others is pretty superficial.

 A good example are those infamous photos of tackily dressed Wal-Mart people.

I do not know why they dress that way, but I am sure that each still cares as much about their life as I do.

Their emotions, longings and dreams echo my own.

Most have little control over their physical appearance, aptitudes or upbringing.

Given a choice, they would be better-looking and from more functional families with more money.

If they have kids that have inherited their physical characteristics, others may devalue the family’s worth.  Yet, they love each other just as much as more attractive families.

Some may be alone in the world.  It is not a situation that they chose; life’s circumstances chose them.

They may make ends meet with jobs that others would consider beneath them— complicated by health problems and no medical benefits.

The little joy they experience may come from interactions with fellow low-paid co-workers — that and having a modest, rental roof over their head at the end of an exhausting day.

Yet, they deserve our respect for doing the best they can with what they were given.

Whatever we feel, they feel.

It’s easy to point at them.  It’s wiser not to.

We could be in their shoes.

Contact Wendel Sloan at wendel.sloan@yahoo.com.