Seeing the sameness of ourselves and others

Out of habit our feelings towards depend very much on their circumstances. Most people, when they see someone who is handicapped, feel sympathetic toward that person. But when they see others who are wealthier, or better educated, or better placed socially, they immediately feel envious and competitive towards them. Our negative feelings prevent us from seeing the sameness of ourselves and others. We forget that just like us, whether fortunate or unfortunate, distant or near, they desire to be happy and not to suffer.