Perspective

Image from: https://www.briansolis.com/2017/05/innovation-begins-shift-perspective/

When two people are in a disagreement, they’re each trying to prove their point. Two individuals can read the same story, but interpret it in two different ways. People don’t always see eye to eye on ideas and topics, but that’s simply because they have different perspectives. For a good amount of my life, I’ve been surrounded by people like me; people of the same race, same beliefs, and similar lifestyles. This made it easy to forget that there are others who aren’t like me.

It started when my fourth grade teacher told us she voted for John McCain and not Barack Obama for president. Majority of the class gaped at her, as to ask “how could you not vote for the man who could become the first black president of the United States?” My teacher shrugged and quickly mentioned how she liked McCain’s ideals/ platform more. I soon learned that she was a Republican, which at the time I knew little about. I never thought about different political views until then.

During the summer of 2015, I was playing a game of would you rather/this or that with someone I recently met. The options were “God” or “Big Bang Theory.” I replied with “God of course” but her response was “Big Bang.” She then explained her point of view, the fact that she’s an atheist and why. At that very moment, it dawned on me that she was one of many who didn’t believe in God or a higher power.

As I grew older, went to different places and met different people, I learned more about perspectives, which varied depending on the individual. I’ve met liberals, existentialists, people with big and small circles [of friends], those with conservative ideals, individuals with the “YOLO” mindset, people with different religions, people with no religion, and so forth. I may not always agree on someone’s take about a topic, but I listen to and respect it regardless. It’s interesting to see just how different we all are, how our life experiences and surroundings take part in shaping who we are and how we think. Listening to other’s perspectives keeps me open minded.

It’s also important to understand that just because you listen and consider the point of views of others, doesn’t mean you’ll lose yourself. It doesn’t mean that you can’t hold on to what you believe in. However listening to others’ point of view can remind you of how diverse we all are.

Perspectives vary.