Understanding Those Around Us

Yesterday I wrote Seeing Is Not Believing after being inspired by George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin. Now I’m continuing the thought process using more of the conversation between Princess Irene and her grandmother. The conversation continued, “We are all very anxious to be understood, and it is very hard not to be. But there is one thing much more necessary.’ ‘What is that, grandmother?’ ‘To understand other people.’ ‘Yes, grandmother. I must be fair – for if I’m not fair to other people, I’m not worth being understood myself” (p. 73). The dialogue between Princess Irene and her grandmother highlights a key lesson: while it is natural to desire understanding from others, it is even more crucial to strive to understand those around us.

MacDonald’s fairy tales had a huge impact on C. S. Lewis from an early age. That impact was both of a personal growth nature and an impact on Lewis’s writing development. I’m so fortunate through my studies of Lewis to have also been exposed to MacDonald. The exchange between Princess Irene and her grandmother reminded me that true worth comes not from seeking validation but from being fair and considerate towards others. If we will prioritize understanding, we will foster deeper connections and compassion, creating a more harmonious society.

The passage in the book I referenced here caused me to reflect on my own interactions and to continually cultivate a mindset that values empathy as a fundamental aspect of my relationships with others. In essence, the story continues to teach us today that understanding others enriches our own lives as well as those we seek to understand and contributes to mutual respect and kindness.

As I conclude this post I can’t help but pause and reflect that it’s been 153 years since MacDonald published The Princess and the Goblin. I am amazed by the perennial influence both MacDonald and Lewis have on the lives of others and me personally. They are both continuing to have an influence on me some 120 and 62 years respectively since their deaths. Amazing! And I believe that is a pretty amazing legacy to try and emulate.

Byron's Babbles