I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving...(Oliver Wendell Holmes quoted by Joshua Dubois in The President's Devotional, August 28)
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There is a saying "Where one stands depends on where one sits." Yet it can be quite true that where one sits and where one stands can hide rather than elucidate motives and aspirations. Most especially where one stands invites judgment from others--sometimes greatly oversimplified judgement, stereotyped and hence unfair. As none of us wish to be so summarily judged, we should first seek to acquaint ourselves with the intent, motives, and aspirations of others. I found this to be true when imprisoned during the 60's for refusing induction into the armed services. It was not uncommon for people to attribute all kinds of characteristics to me that had no basis in fact. A major guiding principle should be to rend confusion and glib assumptions from drawn conclusions.
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