DIFFERENT LENSES, BETTER CHOICES

We all have different perspectives on things and sadly, we see that as a problem more than a solution. We think the fact that two people have different opinions about something is bad or wrong, but that’s not it. God is not an author of confusion. For me, I’ll say God made it this way so it would give room for us to understand the importance of learning and not holding on to our rights all the time. The more I think about it, for most times when I disagree with people on something, it broadens my understanding and perspectives about that particular thing we are disagreeing on.

It’s usually always very hard to keep our opinions aside and try to see things from the other person’s point of view. We rather hold unto our righteousness so hard and allow things break and go bad than to put ourselves in their shoes so we can see things from their own side. We see it as foolishness, as something that we shouldn’t do. After all, we all have our opinions; let’s just stick to them. Don’t try to convince me to believe yours. If at all you should be the one who should accept mine.

It is true that we can’t always be right and the other person can’t always be wrong, and that’s where we have to learn to see things through the lens of the other person. Usually, others sharing their perspectives about something with us that doesn’t align with how we see things shows us a side of us that needs to improve on or grow from. But most times, that’s not the case. We rather fight it because we believe they are just being delusional or overly righteous about their point of view. We miss the big picture and the message that should be sent across. We get defensive and start proving our points as if it’s some sort of game when we are playing against ourselves to get a winner.

I remember there was a point in my life when I just didn’t want to have clashes with anyone. If I don’t accept their opinions about something, I just act like I’m not listening. It was okay for me, but I came to the realization that I was wrong. Just ignoring the opinions of others is not the best. The truth is, they might have a better perspective on that particular thing, but because it clashes with yours, you fail to learn and improve. And also, it could be the other way around; your perspective on that particular topic might be better and they could have been able to learn from you, but then you failed to share yours because you don’t want to have any arguments with anyone.

But that’s why we have each other and our different views, beliefs, cultures, and experiences. Some things can coexist while others can’t. But we will never know the things that can coexist from the ones that can’t if we just keep quiet when we should speak. Running away from conversations because they are tough is doing two things. The first is that it is hindering us from learning and growing, and the second is that it is hindering the other person from learning and growing.

Having different perspectives is more of a good thing to challenge us to grow and be better, not to fight over who is better and who is not. Share your perspectives but also be willing to hear others' perspectives too because there is so much to learn and teach. You can choose to hold on to your perspectives or share them, but for starters, don’t see this difference as a problem because it’s not. It’s a big light God has given to us to guide us in our choices. We have the power to make whatever choices, whether good or bad, but with others' perspectives in mind, we are guided to make better choices and vice versa.

As humans, we have the ability to know when someone is making sense about something or not. If we are confused, it is very important that you listen to more perspectives on that same thing and always be open to learn more about it. But always remember that this doesn’t mean we won’t argue or disagree, we will but only those who stay until the end will later agree.

Thank you for reading through. 💜