The Grasshopper reminded us years ago that we are all mentally ill by someone else’s standards.

What idiosyncratic behavior do we own, that when viewed from another angle, doesn’t look nuts?

The real difficulty we run into is not taking another’s vantage point to evaluate such behavior.

We justify what we do as perfectly normal without ever taking the advantage of an opposing perspective.

“What does it look like standing in their shoes?” is a question we rarely ask as we continue along our righteous path.

Chances are if you’ve denied or justified something long enough, it’s a pretty sure bet that’s what others identify as your “wacky” behavior.

Because you got used to a certain behavior may make it acceptable to you, but it doesn’t play well in the theater of other peoples’ minds.

What to do? Nothing, if you think this doesn’t apply to you.

Hint: This applies to everyone.

We become blind to our own bizarre behavior that’s in plain view for others to witness.

If you do begin to recognize that your behavior is getting in your way, you are no longer crazy because a crazy person wouldn’t take the time to select another angle of view.

The best way to end sleepwalking is to wake up. Most people need an alarm to end this trancelike behavior. It needn’t come to that. Just entertain for a moment what it’s like to be another and view yourself from that perspective.

My sense is you’ll discover your sanity by recognizing we are all mentally ill by someone else’s standards. Then, and only then, will you address your wacky ways.

Since I used to be in radio, let me leave you with the lyrics of a song written and performed by Joe South:

WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES

If I could be you and you could be me for just one hour
If we could find a way to get inside each other’s mind
If you could see you through my eyes instead of your ego
I believe you’d be surprised to see that you’d been blind

Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes
Yeah, before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Walk a mile in my shoes

Well, your whole world you see around you is just a reflection
And the law of common says you’re gonna reap just what you sow

So unless you’ve lived a life of total perfection
Mm-mm, you’d better be careful of every stone that you should throw

Yet we spend the day throwin’ stones at one another
’cause I don’t think or wear my hair same way you do
Well, I may be common people but I’m your brother
And when you strike out and try to hurt me it’s a ‘hurtin you,

Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes
Yeah, before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Walk a mile in my shoes

There are people on reservations and out in the ghettos
And brother, there, but for the grace of God, go you and I

If I only had the wings of little angels don’tcha you know I’d fly
To the top of the mountain and then I’d cry?

Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes
Hey, before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Better walk a mile in my shoes

Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes
Oh, before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Walk a mile in my shoes,

Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes
Hey, before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Walk a mile in my shoes

All the best,

John

LOSE WEIGHT & KEEP IT OFF
STOP SMOKING FOREVER
SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT EVERY NIGHT
IMPROVE YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE
RELAX IN 2 MINUTES