The View Can Be Amazing

This latest blog is inspired by an article sent to me this week by one of my contacts. As with anything that resonates with me, it got me thinking and writing…

It is also inspired by some of the things I have experienced this week, which have helped to bring me back to where I need to be.

We all like to think we are right, right? We also want others to agree that we are right, and to acknowledge it. And if one person is right, then surely it means that the other has to be wrong. Right?

Wrong….

Life is not meant to be as black and white as all that. In fact, there are quite a lot of layers and shades of everything in between these two extreme points. And what if I tell you that right or wrong doesn’t actually exist and that it’s all just a matter of perspective. Think about it…...it makes a lot of sense.

Each of us has a set of underlying values and beliefs which we hold to be true. These become part of the fabric of who we are, and are usually a result of conditioning from upbringing, cultural or religious views, what we have been taught, or which have been imposed on us by society. When another person presents a view which challenges what we believe to be true, we instantly consider them to be wrong because the view is in direct opposition to what we believe, or have been led to believe.

If we all just agree to disagree, and to take on board that this difference is really just a difference in perspective, how much easier would it be for people to get along? Once you accept that each of us is entitled to have our own viewpoint, then it becomes easier to treat others with compassion and understanding. Like each of us, another’s viewpoint stems from a whole different set of circumstances, social conditioning and upbringing, which is, most likely, different from our own. To see another’s viewpoint takes empathy and awareness.

According to controversial German Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, ‘there are no facts, only interpretations’. What this means is that there is no such thing as right and wrong in a factual sense, just a difference in the interpretation of the evidence.

Consider the following:

I believe the world to be round. I believe I am right and I base this on the fact that I have been told that it is round, I have read about it; I have been taught it at school. The evidence suggests it is round and that is what I believe to be true. I haven’t actually seen it for myself.

I encounter a person who believes the world is flat. I can immediately dismiss this as wrong because I know otherwise, and let’s face it, all the evidence points to the fact that I am right. But to this person, their interpretation of the evidence leads them to believe the world is indeed flat.

What would happen if I listened to the reasons why the other person believes the world to be flat? If I view the other person with interest and compassion, and not as an adversary, one of a number of things could happen: my view could be challenged, I could learn something I didn’t know, I could view the topic from another perspective, I could change my point of view, or at the very least, I could have engaged in a very interesting conversation.

We each view things differently and we naturally align ourselves with people who share a similar point of view. We learn a lot from the people around us and we grow because of their presence, but being challenged by something or someone with a different view, can teach us a whole lot more.

How we view the world will ultimately determine our experiences. If we view the world in a negative way, then we are less likely to find anything positive about it. We are predisposed to experiencing the negatives because that is what we are focused on….and like anything on which you put your intention and focus, you are likely to find it.

It’s Valentine’s Day, so let’s go with a fitting example....

Like anything that is subjective, the beauty of a thing or a person is based on the viewpoint of the person looking at it. Hence, why it is said, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What is beautiful to one person, may not mean anything to the next person. Rather than the object being beautiful as a matter of fact, it’s potential beauty is based on the perspective from which it is being viewed or the interpretation of what it means to be beautiful.

There is no clear definition of what makes something beautiful. Go ahead, Google it!

What you will find are various definitions relating to being ‘pleasing to the senses or mind aesthetically’. It doesn’t say anywhere that to be beautiful one needs to be 6-foot-tall, blonde, slender, with blue eyes, a small nose and full lips. The definition therefore allows for a great deal of interpretation. What is pleasing to the eye of one person may be quite different to that of the next person. Let’s not dismiss the point of real beauty, which to me comes from within a person; again something that is subjective and very much dependant on the characteristics which one deems to portray beauty.

What is the definition of a beautiful dress? Again it depends on individual tastes and what one considers to be beautiful. The examples are limitless.

It takes a great deal of awareness to understand that differences among people can usually be put down to the way we view things. To consider another person’s point of view with empathy allows for more effective communication, a better chance of conciliation, and a more harmonious environment. It also gives a greater insight into some of the factors that may contribute to the viewpoint of another individual.

Imagine how much more pleasant life could be if, rather than jumping to defend our position, we took the time to listen, to acknowledge the entitlement of a different viewpoint, and to engage in meaningful discussion where all parties can benefit from the exchange.

Being Valentine’s Day today, we will all inevitably see many roses on our travels. When you do, take a moment to consider your own view of the world. Some wise words from Abraham Lincoln demonstrate the point beautifully…..“we can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses”. It really is up to you.

So, quite apart from trying to understand the perspective of others and how that may differ from our own, it is equally important to consider how our own individual perspective affects our lives. If you are one to believe you have enough, or you are enough, then you will always be grateful, viewing life positively and inviting more positivity.  If, on the other hand, you naturally look at the negatives, then you will never have enough, which could lead to feelings of inadequacy and resentment, creating a vicious cycle of less than ideal circumstances.

How you view the world is a personal thing, but remember that it does affect the way you experience life. This also offers great opportunity …. If you want to change your experiences, try changing your perspective…. sometimes even the smallest adjustment of mindset can alter how you go about your day.

It is important that we, as individuals, keep things in perspective, focusing on what is important and what is real; being grateful for all the blessings we have in our lives. And if you feel you need to make a change, then be brave enough to consider all of the perspectives with interest and ascertain the path that is going to take you towards reaching your fullest potential.

Am I right? Perhaps I am, perhaps I’m not.

This is just how I view the world from my perspective.