Lea & Lens

I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “Is the glass half empty or half full?” A pessimistic person might look at the glass and say that it’s half empty. Their negative mindset causes them to see that which best fits their own perspective. An optimistic person might look at the same glass and say it’s half full. Their positive mindset causes them to see that which best fits their perspective. Perspective is fickle at best.

The truth is that the glass contains a substance (be it liquid or solid) that is simply halfway between empty and full. It’s neither positive or negative. It’s only our own perspective that makes us view it as one or the other.

Perspective shapes my reality.

Notice I said “my” reality. My perspective does nothing to shape the reality of others in my life, just as your perspective does nothing to shape my reality. It has no bearing on actual truth, only how we perceive it. How we perceive the world is our reality. Which is why having someone or something challenge our perspective is so hard to accept.

It’s important to understand how our perspectives in life are shaped and to know what experiences or people shaped them. Only then can we confront ourselves with truth. And truth isn’t fickle. It is the solid rock on which we can build the life we choose for ourselves.