In someone else’s shoes
I had 3 dates on Monday evening - all within the space of a couple of hours…
… It wasn’t speed dating, although maybe I should try it one day, a friend told me recently that where she met her partner.
… and before you get the wrong idea about me, I must just add I was not quite myself.
Have you guessed my mini riddle?
Of course, I was rehearsing a play and each scene features a different dating couple. On Monday two of our actors were otherwise engaged so I stepped in, being someone else, playing someone else – it’s enough to make your head spin – all that flirting and fluttering of eyelashes.
Opening night is two weeks away so we are at that stage when nervous energy takes over as we wonder how we will pull it all together. Teamwork and a big smile for the audience – all will be well.
Apart from one character, who is uncannily similar to the author of that scene, we are all playing people very different from ourselves; stepping into other people’s shoes, with different agendas, strange mannerisms, and some shocking prejudices.
It is fun being someone else for an hour or so, saying things you wouldn’t usually utter out loud. Being contentious, contrary, and creative.
Being an author is much the same, you can explore another person’s world. You can commit murder and mayhem and get away with it. You can be the smartest person in the room who knows everything or the downtrodden victim facing insurmountable challenges.
There are lots of things going on in the world right now, many absolutely abhorrent, although there is always some good stuff if you look hard enough.
How often do we put ourselves in other people’s shoes? Experience the horror and fear that is going on in their lives. Do we stand up for what is right in a world seemingly full of injustice? Do we speak out when we see people persecuted for their faith, sexuality, the colour of their skin?
I am reminded of the Martin Niemoeller quote “first they came for…”
And then there was the excellent sermon by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde standing up to divisiveness and prejudice.
Calling out the atrocities loud and clear. Getting us to see another side of the story.
Wearing someone else’s shoes can be uncomfortable – they are not moulded to the contours of our feet. They nip and pinch or cause us to stumble or trip.
But sometimes we need to try on another person’s pair of shoes because if we don’t STAND UP with those who are facing hardship and persecution now, will anyone be left to stand up for US?