Perspective

If you’ve ever seen the movie National Treasure, you might remember the glasses in the movie. Ben, the main character, finds a pair of old spectacles that are designed to help him read a map to find the treasure. There are multiple lenses and they are very unique.  When he first uses them, the glasses do reveal a clue, however not enough to find the treasure. Later in the movie Ben realizes that as you move a lens, it will reveal even more.  Another hidden clue appears on the map.

I often think of those glasses when I have learned something on a subject that alters my viewpoint. I can’t help but think about what can happen when we change our own “lens” of perspective to gain a little more understanding about something, or someone.

I have a daily calendar and the quote on Monday of this week was by Joan Chittister. She said “Humility does not necessarily require me to agree and comply with everyone else’s position, but it does demand that I be willing to understand and respect the many sides of every issue.” 

“The many sides of every issue.” We don’t always see things the way others do. Just ask siblings to talk about a family vacation or memory growing up and you can easily have very different versions. Each one thinks their memory is the correct one.

People often hear and interpret things based upon their own unique history, upbringing and life experiences. Imagine what could happen when we allow ourselves to be curious about what someone else might see or think, rather than believe our version is the absolute truth. We might still disagree, but at least we are talking and listening to each other. I believe when we do this, life can get bigger, more expansive. I know mine has.