The Beauty Of Perspective
Photograph: Colwyn Murphy
I’m beginning to believe that this may be the single-most important thing we keep in mind while parenting, and one of the most important ongoing discussions we make space for with our children.
From the moment newborn eyes, blink and begin exploring focus in a world where (most) human eyes still only see 1% of the electromagnetic spectrum (is that not astounding?!) they are learning perspective. I say “most” as, I do know people who see beyond what is defined as the “normal”.
As they play in this vibrant world of contrast, it is the world that begins to imprints its value markers. Good perspective versus bad perspective. Acceptable perspective versus unacceptable perspective. What are these perspectives based on? Well if you look at history, they appear to be ever-changing markers based on something of a stew or marvellous medicine of religion, culture, politics, mythology…. The challenge is that right now everyone is grappling through their centuries-old musty closets trying to find the original recipe because wouldn’t that be powerful on Pinterest (oh imagine scrolling through the adverts on that recipe). Sorry, I digress.
Back to perspective. I’m intrigued by the move in the world right now to steer people towards one collective perspective. A move that would be akin to global monoculture. Some people like the idea, because it makes them feel safe in some way. Safety in uniformity. I suspect that safety is uncertain though. So, the question I have is, can we be open to all of them?
Can we be okay with knowing that everyone has a different perspective and that there is limitless potential beauty and growth in that.
Can we see someone in what we’d call darkness (whether that is literal or figurative shadow, or the darkness of the womb) and not judge that as less than (according to our own perceived enlightenment)?
Can we be okay with someone being “asleep” while we are “awake” (again a matter of perspective)?
Can we see that without these vibrant layers of perspective, things would not just be rather monochromatic, they’d lack depth and dimension?
Can we see that your perspective doesn’t diminish mine, it adds to it?
Can we see that without perspective life would be stagnant every sense of the word?
Can we see that differing perspective is not the source of disease but rather a source of vitality?
Can we see that being open to all perspectives opens our eyes to, potentially, the greatest artwork of all time?
Anyway, that’s my perspective for this Friday morning? I might come back to this. Looking forward to hearing how my children’s days have been.