by Danielle N. Hall

4/26/16

Ever noticed how a group of people can see the same thing, yet see something different…each person has a different perspective?

Let’s look at this pic below:

This is labeled as a “red, delicious apple”. If you’re in the snacking mood with a sweet tooth, what you might see is a delightful piece of potential satisfaction. If you’ve not eaten the whole day and this apple was presented to you, you may see hunger relief. However, while I won’t argue that the apple is red, I do have a differing thought about it being delicious or delightful…I see something less inviting and the need for Benadryl. This is because I’ve recently developed an allergy to apples. So after having an allergic reaction to apples, I’m less inclined to want to eat them. Seeing them is a deterrent.

This was a simple example of the point I’d like to make and that is simply this: our experience is what shapes the difference in our perspectives.

Same apple + different experiences = different perspectives

Try to not be hasty to judge because someone sees things differently than you. People have varying backgrounds and life experiences. What may be appealing to you, may be repulsive to another. Be sensitive to others thoughts, feelings, and needs and, if they are different, it’s ok to embrace them.

I’ll leave you with these thoughts to ponder:

“Some people see the glass half full. Others see it half empty.
I see a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be.”
― George Carlin

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
― Audre Lorde