Abraham Lincoln is attributed with saying, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”

Who knows whether Lincoln actually said it (he’s attributed with random quotes all the time), but the sentiment is fascinating.

When I think back to the people who I have “disliked,” it almost always comes down to my own judgement. When I can’t rationalize someone’s behavior, or I see something that doesn’t fit within my own view of right vs. wrong, I naturally pass judgement.

But I can point to more than a few examples in which I’ve gotten past this initial judgement after getting to know someone better. And I have a hard time pointing to anyone who I genuinely dislike after getting to know them.

Sure, there are people who I would rather not associate with or spend my time with, but that doesn’t mean I dislike them. It just means that they’re different than me.

People behave based on the way they see the world.

It’s not fair to judge them without first making the effort to see the same picture.

-Brandon