WALKING IN THEIR SHOES

WALKING IN THEIR SHOES

One morning, my long-time Executive Assistant, Laurie Magers, told me that she would probably not be in the next day because she had to take her mother's puppy, Muffin, to the veterinarian to be spayed.  This will surprise many people who have known me for so many years, but just a few months ago I would have thought to myself, "I just don't understand somebody taking off to have something done to a dog."  I would be happy to take off work for my children and grandchildren, but pets were a different matter.  My children always had pets because they loved them and I loved my children.  But I could not understand how anyone could form such deep, emotional attachments to pets.

However, things underwent a change when daughter Cindy talked my wife into attending a dog show with her.  There she saw a little Welch Corgi, a full-sized dog with pint-sized legs, which she immediately fell in love with.  I'd always said never again would I have a pet, but my relationship with my wife is so important I "humored" her by agreeing that she could acquire one of those little dogs.

It took that little dog about three hours to worm his way into my heart.  At the end of a week, ownership changed.  He is now my dog, though my wife enjoys certain privileges like feeding and caring for him and playing with him when I'm gone.  (Yes, that is my tongue you see in my cheek!)

When Laurie Magers told me she wanted to take care of her mother's little dog, I readily agreed.  Funny, isn't it, how when we come to know the other person's feelings, it is so easy to understand those feelings.  The message is clear: Don't be judgmental.  Put yourself in the other person's position and try to think like they think or feel like they feel.  I guarantee, you'll have more fun and much better relationships.  SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Zig Ziglar is known as America’s Motivator.  He authored 33 books and produced numerous training programs.  He will be remembered as a man who lived out his faith daily