There are two sides to every story.
It's a pretty simple philosophy. And it's definitely not original. But it's a good one. Along the same lines is, "There has got to be more to that story." When I hear things, I try to remember that everyone speaks from a place of perspective and bias (whether intended or not). There is usually more to the story. There are at least two sides, sometimes many, many more.
I took a class for my major called Political Geography. I loved that class! My professor's emphasis of expertise was in the Middle East. He took a little extra time to teach us about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. When I was in college a long, long time ago, American media had a decidedly pro-Israel stance to their reporting. When my professor taught us the history and background of that area, I was genuinely surprised to learn that Palestinians have a side. They have a point. I'm not saying which side is right or wrong. I'm simply saying that there are two sides to that story. In the context of world politics, understanding the multi-faceted nature of different conflicts is especially enlightening.
When my own children come to me to discuss a conflict with a friend or sibling, I try to help them look at it from the other person's point of view. We try to understand where that person is coming from and why they behave the way they do. I don't excuse bad behavior, but understanding why helps me find resolution.
Whether the conflict is relatively little--like sibling rivalry--or incredibly big--like territorial disputes over ancestral land--there are two sides to every story. There is always more to the story. Even if I can't learn the other side, it's worthwhile to just remember that there is another side before I jump to conclusions.
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