The Power of Diverse Perspective

Everything is a matter of perspective. Everything.
I’ve been on a solo cross country road trip for the past month. Throughout the journey so far, I’ve reflected on how I interpret many of the memories I’m having after the fact. I’ve come to a profound conclusion.
There is immense power in the exploration of diverse perspectives on the meaning I make of my life.
1 — A Memory Without Meaning
It was rush hour on a Thursday in NYC. I was driving Ghost (my white Prius) on the Interstate to a college friend’s apartment in Upper Manhattan where I would be staying for a few days.
Cars were packed together — metallic threads weaving around into the horizon. Horns were honking from all sides — a cacophony in a concrete corridor. NYC rush hour traffic is a gauntlet for any tourist dumb enough to attempt to bring a car into its fold.
It may come as no surprise that I missed my exit.
Little did I know that it was the last exit before the George Washington Bridge. Even worse, the GWB is one of the busiest and most expensive motor-vehicle bridges in the world.
I ended up paying $15 for a toll and being over an hour late to dinner.
2— The Punch of Pessimism
“ Pessimism prepares you for the worst, reduces the tension of expectation, protects you from disappointment, and might even make you laugh a bit. It should be a recipe for life.” — Alain De Botton, philosopher
At first I thought about how terrible it all was. My mistake was careless. The bridge offered no respite for a weary tourist. The incessant traffic chipped at my sanity from all directions. The toll clerk showed no mercy when I explained my predicament. My punishment was so obviously disproportionate to my sin. My patience was running dry. I felt cursed.
I became pessimistic. I embraced life’s inherent shittiness. Why should I ever expect it to be fair? I am entitled to nothing and should always be prepared for the worst.
In that moment, pessimism filled me with a desire for a better world where such suffering no longer exists — An anxiety that propels me to try shaping this world in my life.
3— The Offering of Optimism
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” — Marcus Aurelius, emperor
I then thought about how amazing it all was. The majesty of the view from the bridge. The comfort of the car I was viewing it from. The magic of the modern transportation system I was partaking in. The dynamicism of the city I was navigating. The friend whose city life I would soon live. The many other lives I would live during the rest of my trip. I felt blessed.
I became optimistic. I embraced life’s inherent beauty. Why should I feel anything but gratitude? I am humbled and hopeful for the future.
In that moment, optimism filled me with an appreciation of the scarcity of suffering — a lack of anxiety that allows me to embrace the world I am present in.
4— The Intimacy of Interest
“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” — William Morris, designer
In the end, I thought about how interesting it all was. A small error (missing an exit) leading to such a large consequence (a delayed dinner with an exorbitant toll). A fascination for the butterfly effect in action. A reminder of the vast uncertainty that is intrinsic to the project of life.
I became interested. I embraced the learning experience for what it was, as independent of emotional attachments and labels as I could be. Why should I feel bored at the wondrous system of cause and effect that is life? I am in awe of the discoveries awaiting me in the future.
In the moment, I was interested in I could see things from diverse perspectives — how such exploration encouraged greater opportunity for learning and growth.
5 — The Power of Persective
Pessimism is a constant reminder that life could be better. In moderation, it can motivate us toward progress. In extreme, it can debilitate us from action.
Optimism is a constant reminder that life is already good. In moderation, it can keep us hopeful and in good spirits. In extreme, it can blind us from reality.
Both pessimism and optimism are valuable in moderation and balance.
But no matter how you perceive, always be interested.
Because life is a fascinating journey. And it only becomes more fascinating when you have more perspectives to look at it from.
Like and share this post if you agree.
** Call to Action **
Do you want to embrace the power of perspective in your own life?
Think back to a recent struggle.
Open a word doc. Spend the next 5 minutes free-writing (no editing) an answer to the following question. How could things have been better? 5 minutes. No more. Go.
Okay now you’re back.
Page break. Spend the next 5 minutes free-writing an answer to the following question. How could things have been worse? 5 minutes. No more. Go.
Pick one item from each answer. Share the struggle and the two items in a comment below.
Do this often enough on your own and you will train your mind to do it at will.
With practice, you can embrace the power of diverse perspective.
Imaan

