A Matter of Perspective: Whose Truth Do You See?

Have you ever encountered something that seems too good to be true?  Seen what appears to be a mirage or optical illusion?  Or were involved in a situation where a long-held value or truth came in conflict with another person's views?  It seems that one aspect of being human is to see the world from what is familiar.

Just think of when witnesses of an accident relate different details to the reporting officer:  the people were at the same scene, but their accounts differ on key information.  Each of us seems to filter on various and divergent perspectives: our minds trying to justify what it knows to be true with new reality or information!

An unusual view:  a matter of perspective
(Emirates 747 taking off from Schipol Airport, Amsterdam)

In an electronic age where so much information is collected and conveyed throughout the world, it is difficult sometimes to sift through and grasp what is true, valid, timely, and accurate.  Some people remember an earlier time when the pace was slower and it seemed that people could hold onto and live out time-honored values much easier than our current, ever-changing world!

And how about the oddity of living in the most technically interconnected world to date and yet how often we seem to misunderstand, miscommunicate, or not hear one another.  Our individualized experiences now seem to be one of infinite possibilities in the much larger Truth Puzzle.  There is more to choose from; there are more paths to consider.
 

Pluggers (by Gary Brookins), 11/17/16

Olivia, a dialogue colleague and friend, passed along the following image, "This is Truth."  Depending on where a person stands or where the light is projected, the same object may reveal different shadows.  Are not both shapes true?

Might both of our perspectives be true?

I believe that the practice of dialogue draws forth similar lessons:

• As I notice and understand my own perspectives and values;
• As I listen to another person's perspectives and values;
• We might come to understand that together we are seeing what is True and what is Truth.

Journey: where will our paths lead?

A final image for this week: as I move along my individual path - at times  focused, straight, and narrow, am I missing the broader horizon that stretches beyond?  Holding lightly to each of our truths may lead us to a more expansive reality, a path that includes all we see!  Instead of conflicts over My Path or Your Path, my truth or yours, maybe the invitation is to exclaim: "Yes - all paths!"

Questions to consider this week:

• What do I hold as important and uncompromising?
• Where might I consider another person's experiences?
• How might we journey together so we can share and respect the similarities and differences of our perspectives? 

Welcome to an exciting week of opportunity: moving from focus to expansiveness, from Either-Or to Both-And!
 

Larry Gardepie