Sore toes: What happens when you are the subject of discussion?

Have you ever been in the middle of a discussion about a particular subject and fallen into the "negative" category of what was being said?  

Now I know for some folks reading, you have been in church and heard a message that made you shift in your seat a little.  

Most folks have no problem talking about other people, at all.  Present company included. The hardest thing to do is put yourself in the shoes of someone whose toes are being stepped on. 

Some things I take a hard line stance on...others I don't.  Actually with most stuff I don't see an "either" "or" with them.  I mean my opinion may change, I may see both sides at the same time, and 9.9/10 I just don't care. 

I can argue passionately about either side of anything. Part of that is from what I do for a living, and another part of it is being nonchalant.  The funny thing is...as much as I can dog someone, I can defend the same person (to an extent. I cannot defend Sandusky from Penn State).  

No one thing is as bad or horrible or undesirable as something someone other than you either chooses to do or possesses as a character trait.  When it is you, you look for excuses, exceptions, permissible dalliances, sympathy and understanding.  When it is someone else you look to hang 'em high and stretch them wide...aka crucify them.  

Just take a moment, relax, look at things from that person's point of view as much as possible. Maybe the person is not so bad?  Maybe you would behave similarly?  Maybe just maybe they are deserving of the same benefit of the doubt you'd hope to receive? The same toes you like to step on, may be your sore toes tomorrow...