Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes can be difficult. Everyone has different perspectives, which come from each of us having different backgrounds and diverse experiences. Where you may see things plainly from one point of view, another may see them totally differently.  

The most well-known example of this is the age-old lesson about a glass filled halfway. Some say the glass is half full, while others say it’s half empty. The important thing is to focus on what both perspectives share – indeed, there is water in the glass. Once the facts are established, you can try to practice the act of “perspective-taking.” You can try to see it from another point of view. 

Imagine you’re on a sidewalk, covered with chalk numbers. Another person approaches from the opposite direction and you say, “Boy that’s a nice looking 6.” The person, obviously puzzled, nods and continues walking.  But as you continue down the sidewalk and turn around, you notice from this point of view, your upside down 6 also looks exactly like a 9. No wonder the passerby was puzzled! They had a different perspective from what you could see. 

Today’s Peace of Wisdom can be found by seeing the other perspective.