Dearly beloved in the Lord

We were discussing how perspective plays a powerful role in shaping how individuals react to situations and the outcomes that follow in our last post. We also thought about the importance of having the right perspective. Many asked how they could acquire it and this is what I want to look at through this post.

Developing the correct perspective requires effort, reflection, and a willingness to challenge one’s own views, but it ultimately leads to better decisions, healthier relationships, and more positive outcomes. It is a continuous process that requires humility, patience, and a commitment to growth.

The journey begins with recognizing that our personal views are shaped by our background, beliefs, and emotions, which can sometimes limit our understanding of a situation. To gain a clearer and more accurate perspective, we must be willing to step outside our own viewpoint and consider others’ experiences and opinions.

We need to actively seek understanding, remaining open-minded, and reflect on our own thoughts and experiences. We also need to actively listen paying close attention to what others say without immediately judging or reacting. Reading widely will challenge our assumptions and broaden our mental models. Engaging in thoughtful discussions, and exposing ourselves to different cultures and ideas can also expand our thinking.

Practice empathy. Try imagining or even asking what the issue looks like from another stakeholder’s perspective. Asking questions and being curious about why people think or feel a certain way can lead to deeper understanding. Have open conversations with people from different backgrounds with different beliefs, or experiences and get to know their views on the matter at hand.

Acknowledge cognitive bias. Learn about common biases: confirmation bias, availability bias, etc. Deliberately challenge our gut reactions and assumptions. Awareness of bias reduces distortion in how we view issues. This awareness combined with considering others’ viewpoints, will help us make more thoughtful choices and foster better outcomes in both personal and professional settings.

Engage in structured reflection. Taking time to think critically about our reactions and decisions helps us identify biases or emotional responses that may cloud our judgment. Journal your thoughts, reactions, and what the issue means to you. Use techniques like SWOT analysis or pros/cons lists. Writing clarifies our thinking and reveals patterns.

Ask better questions. Instead of “Why is this happening to me?” we could ask “What can I learn from this?”. Use open-ended, reflective questions to challenge our thinking. Good questions shift our focus from blame to insight.

Consult wise mentors or advisors. Speak with someone who has more experience or emotional intelligence. Be open to their constructive feedback. Wisdom comes from perspective gained through time and experience. Sometimes, seeking advice from trusted mentors or neutral third parties can also help us view things more objectively.

Use time as a lens. Ask: “Will this matter in 1 year? 5 years?”. Consider how our future self might view the situation. It puts current stress or urgency in perspective. Understand the broader context. Ask: “What’s the bigger picture here?”. Look at historical, cultural, or systemic factors that might influence the issue. It prevents tunnel vision and oversimplification.

Temporarily detaching our self from the situation is also can help (emotionally or physically). Sleep on it, go for a walk, or meditate. Distance provides clarity and helps reduce emotional bias.

Embrace uncertainty and complexity. Accept that not all issues have clear-cut answers. Be okay with ambiguity and hold multiple perspectives in tension. Maturity in perspective comes from an ability to tolerate complexity.

Loads of love and lots of prayers

B