WISDOM

Remember how your perspective affects how you feel, make decisions … and live life.

Case in point.  From your perspective, is this picture of daytime or nighttime? 

Remember that you see the world through your eyes.  Your reflection of the world and even those you come into contact with is muted by your assumption that others see and think in similar ways to you. 

We all exist on a single planet, yet each of us sees our world … differently. 

Important in theory, but crucial as you walk through life: for what you see and think is never exactly the same as anyone else. 

 

Imagine how different your life would be if you suddenly began to first understand another - their ideas, inner thoughts, and the beliefs they hold – BEFORE making any assumptions (or judgments!) 

Would it become easier for you to really know someone?                 

What if you did the same for yourself?

 

Examine how you perceive everything.  Are your perceptions about yourself, others, and the world truly accurate?  Or do you have unproven biases that compromise how you critique, value, and respond in the world? 

Examine your perspective…especially at times when you feel ‘wronged’, ‘frustrated’, ‘angry’, ‘sad’ or ‘annoyed’.

Doing so will help you to understand why you feel  the way you do.  CHALLENGE your thoughts.  After all, what you tell yourself isn’t the same as what is true.

When you make assumptions, decisions, and judgments about another person…rarely have you “checked out” your perceptions first.  Seek to understand by asking questions. 

My challenge to you…if you choose to accept it:

CONSIDER WHAT YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF.  Then CHALLENGE YOUR THOUGHTS.

Ask “Where’s the evidence?” (One of the Cognitive Therapy tools I often remind clients of….) to see if your thoughts / perspective is indeed accurate and true.

It will save you a lot of unnecessary angst …and it frees you to begin asking questions of others.  Asking allows you to understand and learn about others’ perspective in a way you would never know if you continued to hold onto your bias view. 

Asking allows you to actually know.  Accepting others’ responses without judgment is then up to you!

And in case you were still wondering…

The above winter scene was photographed at 6:30am…but somewhere else in the world, under the very same sky, it was nighttime …

Namaste everyone