A Matter of Perspective
The greatest tragedy for any human being is going through their entire lives believing the only perspective that matters is their own.
~Doug Baldwin~
If you stand on a chair or desk or table, your perspective changes. What might look one way from a seated or standing on the floor view can change when you change your vantage point.
But what if you never stand on a chair? What if you never look at things from a different point of view/perspective?
I would imagine that the world I see looks very different from a snail or a fish. The things they see/experience would be quite foreign to me, as well.
Perspective is important to us because it determines how we view the world. It defines what we see and experience in a way that our brains can categorize so that we don’t feel as chaotic.
Without perspective, things could get messy in our brains.
But perspectives can change or be forced to change—for good reasons or not-so-good reasons.
It is essential to employ, trust, and reward those whose perspective, ability, and judgment are radically different from yours. It is also rare, for it requires uncommon humility, tolerance, and wisdom.
~Dee Hock~
It can be very difficult for us as humans to see things from a perspective that is different from ours.
I believe, that as Hock pointed out, it “requires uncommon humility, tolerance, and wisdom” to be able to see things from another perspective.
In deference to the new year upon us, I am giving myself a challenge, and you, too. Try to look at things from a different point of view. Step upon a chair or a table or kneel in the grass (or snow). Try something different to get a fresh perspective. It may not change you entirely, but it may give you a temporary look at things from a new view. It may grace you with tolerance for another’s point of view.
It may provide you with a bit of wisdom. As we enter into this new year—we can all use a bit of wisdom, tolerance, and humility.