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Daily Question, March 30

When has someone’s perspective informed and enriched my point of view?

  • Ose
    Most probably in any interaction with my fellow people, may it be an addition of knowledge, or even if someone offers an opposing perspective, it adds to my "oh, one can look at it as well from this angle". It oftentimes has helped me to alter my own perspective which could be fixed in some area and otherwise would have carried me into more of a negative perspective. As it is clear that we all build our own world through the perspective we take, this was oftentimes really of huge help. You all h...

    Most probably in any interaction with my fellow people, may it be an addition of knowledge, or even if someone offers an opposing perspective, it adds to my “oh, one can look at it as well from this angle”. It oftentimes has helped me to alter my own perspective which could be fixed in some area and otherwise would have carried me into more of a negative perspective. As it is clear that we all build our own world through the perspective we take, this was oftentimes really of huge help. You all here contribute a lot to this flexibility of mind and in dealing with perspective-related emotions, for which I am deeply thankful towards all of you.

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  • Malag

    I’d like to think that’s a daily occurrence whether through human interaction or podcasts or media. Seek and ye shall find.

  • KC
    Many perspectives have informed and enriched my point of view along the way. Some were positive, others were negative, still others were challenging, debilitating or even harmful. Taking in and learning to integrate the perspectives that have shaped and shape me is an ongoing process. These days, I am more interested in finding a comfortable anchoring in my own small roots, relationships and community, and being open to listen, hear and be changed by external perspectives when/ as best I am...

    Many perspectives have informed and enriched my point of view along the way. Some were positive, others were negative, still others were challenging, debilitating or even harmful.

    Taking in and learning to integrate the perspectives that have shaped and shape me is an ongoing process. These days, I am more interested in finding a comfortable anchoring in my own small roots, relationships and community, and being open to listen, hear and be changed by external perspectives when/ as best I am called and / or able.

    Discernment seems key, and a daily challenge. This morning I was re-introduced to the GRACE compassion practice by Joan Halifax. My wise yoga teacher shared this helpful and timely practice in meditation this morning. I will spend more time with Joan Halifax and her teachings, as they speak to and support my daily practice.

    A recent neighbour, likely a drug dealer, offers a different perspective and practices to learn.

    Is this not central to being in healthy relationship and community, to be informed and enriched by other viewpoints?

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  • Don Jones
    As I walked in the pre-dawn darkness down by the water with my dog, there was a sliver of new moon on the horizon and higher up Venus shining brightly, I realized I was viewing them from the perspective of Earth. As I looked deeper into the darkness, I could make out a galaxy, I realized I was viewing it as the Milky Way. When I got back home and started breakfast, gazing upon my water urn, it occurred to me I was looking from the perspective of water. It is all part of an flowering awakening...

    As I walked in the pre-dawn darkness down by the water with my dog, there was a sliver of new moon on the horizon and higher up Venus shining brightly, I realized I was viewing them from the perspective of Earth. As I looked deeper into the darkness, I could make out a galaxy, I realized I was viewing it as the Milky Way. When I got back home and started breakfast, gazing upon my water urn, it occurred to me I was looking from the perspective of water. It is all part of an flowering awakening…

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  • Diana Valdivia

    My highschool history teacher said “Life moves fast, next thing you know thrity years has past”, this stuck with me and made me try to apperciate my youth and life for as long as I have it.

  • Hot Sauce
    Both my counselor as well as philosopher Jules Evans, in discussing the Cognitive-Behavioral insight that events don't cause us to feel negative emotions but rather our thoughts about events, have helped me gain some perspective. When I feel angry, anxious, or sad, sometimes it helps to ask myself, "Is my thought about this realistic? If it's not, how can I reframe the thought? If it is, is it within my control? If it is, what can I do about it? If it isn't, then perhaps it's a waste of time to ...

    Both my counselor as well as philosopher Jules Evans, in discussing the Cognitive-Behavioral insight that events don’t cause us to feel negative emotions but rather our thoughts about events, have helped me gain some perspective. When I feel angry, anxious, or sad, sometimes it helps to ask myself, “Is my thought about this realistic? If it’s not, how can I reframe the thought? If it is, is it within my control? If it is, what can I do about it? If it isn’t, then perhaps it’s a waste of time to worry about it.”

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  • Kylee

    My high school principal had a large impact on my life when I was talking about graduating early and that I couldn’t wait to get out of there. He looked me straight in the face and said “Never wish time away” no matter the circumstances. I have replayed that several times over in my life since that day. And he was right…. I should never wish time away.

  • Hermann-Josef
    So many patients tell me about their life and childhood. sometimes it is incredible what they went through as children. so much suffering, lack of love, abuse and so on. it brings tears into my eyes. But it shows in many cases how much strength we have within us as human beings. many of them have such a big heart, taking care for others. some of them studied at university or have a normal family life . Though they didn’t forget, they learnt how to deal with the past. I admire these people very...

    So many patients tell me about their life and childhood. sometimes it is incredible what they went through as children. so much suffering, lack of love, abuse and so on. it brings tears into my eyes. But it shows in many cases how much strength we have within us as human beings. many of them have such a big heart, taking care for others. some of them studied at university or have a normal family life . Though they didn’t forget, they learnt how to deal with the past. I admire these people very strongly. Lotuses grow in muddy waters. (sometimes)

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  • GC2000

    Recently reading Bro David’s interview about the importance of art really expanded how I viewed the spirituality of the creative process of an artist.

    Another exchange was with a teenager last week who shared with me how important it was for someone to believe in him and other youth. His passion spoke volumes.

  • alara

    The. beginning of 2020 ignited the smouldering embers of distrust, anger, resentment, yada, yada, yada. I was consumed..

    Then Charles Eisenstein’s work “The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible” came into my consciousness (never underestimate a single spark in the midst of chaos)..

    Br. David’s light pulls me now like no other,

  • Charlie T

    This happens often. I like to ask questions, but the challenge is to listen without judgment or projection. It’s not that easy and I catch myself often.
    As a young man, I read a lot of North American history. It never occurred to me, to not seek out all perspectives. From Custer’s diaries to Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

    • GC2000

      Yes Chalie, It’s challenging to listen without judgement and projection, without creating a narrative in your own mind while someone is talking. It’s a lifetime growing edge that eventually evolves and improves. Thank you for sharing.

  • Chris Berry

    I have a sometimes rather annoying habit of constantly searching for answers, whether via literature, nature, whatever. And 9 times out of 10 when I get tired of searching, the answers come to me in a flash, thus enriching my point of view.

    • GC2000

      Agreed! Well said. The answers are within, especially when we quiet the mind, control the desire to control and surrender. Ha! even surrender involves controlling control -)

    • Mica

      What fun! Adyashanti told about letting go of something he was seeking and then finding it.

  • Chester

    I was recently preparing a talk about the importance of supporting military service member mental health through a community approach when came upon the book, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. Peter talked about the way trees in the forest support one another through their network of roots and fungi, literally holding each other up and sharing nutrients. I found it greatly informed and enriched my point of view on the role of our communities.

  • Barb C

    Happens every day! In particular I think of the effort I’ve made to seek out and listen to perspectives from people whose voices have not been centered in our policies and our society. I see our world, power structures, language, everything so differently now as a result. My two daughters who are now grown women also give me their perspective and teach me new ways of viewing .

  • Keisha

    The mere thought of genuine people believing in me is so enriched it gives me the motivation to keep going

  • dragonfly

    “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” is a quote that has applied to me more often than not in very different circumstances of my life. Some lessons had to be re-learned, some revised. It is a process that meets me where I am. Perspectives that enriched my view in the past have been developed and some have changed so much that they are not recognizable as the “original” anymore. Nothing is static when it comes to perspectives enriching my point of view. I want to be open to that.

    • Malag

      So true and well said. “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” is a regular of mine too.

  • Michele

    I feel all the participants on this website enrich my point of view or offer different perspectives to think about.

  • Laura

    Too many times to count or remember, especially as it applies to my own actions. I’m not an impartial bystander in my own life. It helps to have a trusted friend to tell me matter of factly that I’m being too hard on myself, or, that I screwed up. Both help me become a better human.

  • Holly in Ohio

    Frequently other people enrich and inform my view, but particularly those with different experiences or points of view. The young, the old, the fortunate, the unfortunate, those with different opinions on politics or issues, those from different religious or cultural backgrounds, because, in the end, understanding the diversity of people and the diversity of human experiences enriches my life and broadens my perspective and mind.

  • devy

    A couple of years ago I met a friend who was a former Anglican priest. He worked at a high school with troubled youths until he retired. Talking to him and reading his daily posts have inspired and helped me tremendously through difficulties..

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