We don’t know what people are going through. We can walk down the street and react to a slight from someone, making assumptions about them — what they are thinking, doing, or feeling. Much of the time, we experience varying degrees of neutral: not too engaged or too bothered. Our feelings can range from somewhat interested to obsessed about what others are thinking or doing.

Sometimes we need to stop and reflect. We need to remember what it’s like to be in someone else’s position, to walk in their shoes. We need to take stock and have compassion. Sometimes we need to do nothing, and sometimes we can’t do anything. How do we access the grace of the moment?