Similarity & Difference

Today I realized that it is way tougher to deal with the self of others rather than your self.People go to great lengths to view the world in a way that facilitates their well being. They just do not want to let go of their rigidity. No way of convincing them.It's natural to do so. Is it ? If you have an aim, you make efforts to reach it. It's a safe path with no deviations. You have your own trusted circle. Your own group. Others are seen as different.
I guess that is the prime causation of pain. Pain for the other, a lack of solace for you. When you look at the other, perceive him as someone similar to you. Try. He definitely won't be the same! But even if you manage to find an iota of your reflection in him, that will foster an association. Don't justify the differences by rationalizing.A dose of self deception can be a good but it is also in your interest to be accurate to yourself.
Easier said than done though. From childhood itself, we are told who we are as a group and this influences our individuality. Along the way without our knowing even why, a demarcation develops between us and the other. We are told to follow certain rules to keep the other from crossing that demarcation. Not many have the time nor the effort to think of why they are following certain standards.
Basically, what i want to say is to loosen your rigidity,give some slack to the other guy. You don;t even know how similar he is to you. And you will never know unless you set out thinking that he is different from you.