Perspective

Perspective is a crazy thing.  In some ways it's kind of like common sense, in that it's not all that common.  Now when I'm talking about perspective, I mean the ability to look at an event or situation without the blinders or blurred lenses of your own biases.  Now, I know most of you are thinking to yourselves, "I have lots of perspective"...yes, yes you do.  The problem with your perspective, is well, it's your perspective.  Your own perspective doesn't really count here, sorry.  What I am talking about is being able to take a specific situation and put on another's shoes, hat, t-shirt or suit and look at it from their point of view.  Too many times we just get mad, upset or offended by what someone says or does and never looks at the world from their view point. 


Now, I am the first person to admit that I am usually critical and tell people they are wrong often, but, I will always try to look at their point of view to figure out why they think a certain way.  Because if I think someone is wrong and I leave it at that, I'm not really helping or learning at all. But if I can help give them some perspective on the situation, ask them questions about why they think a certain way, then I can help understand where they are coming from.  Can I still think they are wrong?  Sure.  But at least I took a brief opportunity to try and understand someone, instead of ignoring them completely.  Because, lets be honest, most arguments we have with one another in sports, religion and politics are usually issues that go deeper than the argument itself.  


Most arguments stem from more foundational beliefs, theories, ideas or opinions, that are rooted much deeper than we really care to recognize.  Lets take a foul in basketball for instance...there are very few other moments in sports where one side will in one voice "boo" or say "what?" at the same time as the other side applauds, agrees and cheers both the referee and the player for drawing the foul.  Talk about perspective!  So the issue in argument is the foul right?  Not really...the underlying issue is that I want my team to win, so whatever way I have to cheer to support my team I will, regardless of whether or not I know a foul was made.  


That might be too simple of an example, but I guess my point is this...we can argue the stuff on the outside all we want, it won't ever change the fact that we disagree.  It takes a lot of work and a lot of time; most of us aren't willing to dig deep into someones life and understand where they are coming from.  I'm not saying that we always have to agree with everyone (not at all) but if we really want to lead by example to the rest of the world, it's going to take a little more work.  If we stop, ask some questions, ask "why" and get to the root of the issue, then we might be able to finally have some perspective...like I said though, it's not that common.