Walk a mile...

I was sitting here thinking about how funny or demanding some of the requests I get are.  I try to look at it in a positive light, that's why I say funny but really quite demanding and it made me think of the age old saying - walk a mile in someone else's shoes.  I had a strange request from someone and At first I thought well she must be worried I better find the time to take care of it- finding the time will be quite difficult though because I have a full day of clinic then would like to get home to my own dinner, need to get my son to scouts and myself to yoga and then pick up my other son from rock climbing.  I fancy myself that I am somewhat selfless so was going to forego my dinner or seeing my husband in order to take care of this rather strange concern.  As clinic continued to go longer than expected I thought I should at least get a little more information - I found out that not only was the request strange, but based on the circumstance also unwarranted. Now -
Walk a mile in my shoes and you might see the frustration of trying to decide whose needs come first - the baby, the mother, the doctor or the doctors family.  The request is not warranted and if becomes so in the future is certainly not urgent.  If I put the mother off she may give me horribly bad reviews (not to mention the karma) yet if I go I am taking time out from the needs of my own family and self for a very non urgent manner.  Isn't that what doctors sign up for you might say - Well you might say as I am saying that to myself right now. If I do not go I will feel quite selfish and yet if I do I will be yet further drained of my own reservoir; and eventually by giving all to others, will be depleted and able to give no more.
     Walk a mile in the mother's shoes and you can see she is worried about her baby, has gone to her mother (her source of knowledge) found that the baby may have a problem and as many of us would be - feels that her baby is urgent; after all who does she have to care for but her own children.  Sitting in a hospital bed all day, one may not understand that another person has spent the day busily at work and that the patients in the office have scheduled time to see their doctor and some of them may have an urgent concern.
     Walk a mile in the nurses shoes and you'll see an overworked individual who is trying to reassure an anxious mother with little success so resorts to calling in the physician.
      So I guess the point to all this is the next time you feel bad, guilty, frustrated take a minute to think about all the miles, add them up and maybe you'll see your miles aren't so bad.  Also remember that the behavior you see from someone else is the outward expression to a myriad of inward emotions and motivations.