Understand?

          Is it possible to understand each other?  Truly?  I used to think so, but I am no longer so sure.  To fully understand where someone else is coming from would require vast amounts of information, intelligence, emotional intelligence, awareness, empathy.  Even with all of that would we understand?

          What I’ve landed on is no, I don’t think we can truly understand one another.  Not fully anyways.  I think we can understand concepts, understand similar circumstances, and understand how certain things make us feel.  But, when someone says “I understand where you’re coming from.”, I think what they truly mean is I empathize and have compassion for your situation.

          We’ve all heard the expressions “Look at things from my point of view”, or “Walk a day in my shoes “; and even though I agree that it is important to have the awareness and empathy to be able to place ourselves in their respective viewpoint, it wouldn’t be enough.  Nor do I think it would be enough to actually be in their position.  How could I possibly understand?!  I haven’t loved your life.  I haven’t gone through what you’ve gone through.  I don’t have the experiences or biases that brought you to where you are, all those life experiences that make you uniquely you.  So no, I can’t understand.  All I can do is be kind, be compassionate, and practice empathy.

          What are your thoughts? Do you think it is possible to understand one another, truly?