Perspective.

What does that mean to you? Do you believe in an objective truth? What relevance does subjectivity have? Because there are many different ways to frame a situation.

I’d bet, that a room full of people, observing the same event, would all phrase it differently. Some people would most notice the clothes the speaker was wearing, while others fixate on the words. Some notice only the tone, while others focus on the face. There are many different perspectives to the same event.

Another great example, this planet. Some look at it and see all the resources that can be extracted. Some vow not to take the lives of animals. Some make their fortunes by doing so. Some wouldn’t even pick a fruit before it would naturally fall.

Some believe that storms are omens and the vengeance of angry gods. Some would explain them as different pressure systems swirling around in the atmosphere.

Some people believe that people are fundamentally good, others see them as evil.

Again, because it is important, I will mention Einstein’s notion of miracles, everything or nothing.

Perspective plays a very important part in the unfolding of your life.

Confirmation bias is a thing. We tend to seek out arguments that reinforce our points, rather than looking for the contrary which would cause us to question our beliefs.

That is part of the beauty of the human life. The free will to decide what you want to do with it.

It’s ingrained in me to want certainty. I would love to know exactly what will happen as a result of what. But little in life comes with certainty. I don’t know how a relationship will turn out, or a project, or an investment, but we act anyways.

Risk taking is a necessary part of life.

But I stray from the topic.

We often see only what we want to see.

But that, especially in this age of information, is not always the case. 

There are those among us who are committed to the truth no matter how uncomfortable. Even if it will destroy the very platform that you stand on, there are those who are willing to surrender it all to be aligned with truth.

But again, that truth can be so hard to discern. It is incredibly difficult to know truth no matter how many facts you are presented. We often find experiments that expose both sides of an argument well, and then we return to personal choice.

Truths can be paradoxical. It is possible that we are both benefic and malevolent. Often times the truth is complex and non-binary. It is so wrapped up in ifs and buts. And so then it returns to personal choice.

Sometimes, I opt not to choose a side. I accept that the arguments are compelling all around and let others argue while I remove myself from the situation. I have not often argued to have my perspective validated. It is often enough for me to simply believe what I believe without the praise or blame of any other.

I often think about double slit experiment that presents light as both a wave and particle depending on who you choose to observe it.

I choose to see life as a gift. I choose to see nature as something the preceded human beings and is a necessary precursor to our existence, making it fundamental to our existence and not to be tampered with. I see nature as inherently beautiful and not the dominion of man, but something we must respect less we meet our demise.

I choose to lean left of center on the political spectrum. I choose to meditate and make art because I’ve found them to be good for my mental health.

My life is a series of experiments and I choose to adopt the things I like into my habits as I build my character.

I choose to see the good in people, because it helps me see the good in myself. I do not ignore the negatives, but I choose to live with optimism and hope because it makes my life more joyous.

I choose to see life as a precious gift because it brings peace of mind.

I see the new day as a new opportunity to peruse excellence.

Sometimes I can take life quite seriously. I can get caught up in the rat race believing that my worth is directly tied to my income. And some days I choose to see my value being a correlate of the amount of peace that I manifest.

This life, this opportunity that we’ve been granted is so diverse and complex. It is a choose your own adventure, in many respects. We are dealt a hand, but it is up to us how to play it.

Confront your conditioning. Realize that your fundamental beliefs are up to you.

See what you want to see.