Two Sides to Every Coin

How do you interpret the world?  We all see the world through different lenses.  Although people may look at the same thing at the same time, their description could be very different. Disagreements arise from viewing a situation thru our own lens based on our own set of circumstances.  When our interpretations are challenged we naturally defend them and fight for what we believe.  Others react similarly when we challenge their interpretations. Nobody wants to be wrong!

Imagine, for a moment, that we place three people in a field of roses in Provence.  One woman is on her honeymoon, one is a botanist, and one has a deathly allergy to bees.  Each of these individuals would most probably describe the field quite differently.  For one, there is a field of love, for another a field of science and the third, a field of danger.  All three of these interpretations are valid in their given context.  None holds special weight as being more ‘true’ or important than the others, though context plays a significant role in determining which interpretation holds more weight at a given time.  In each of these cases, it is the description of the field that leads us directly into the lens that focuses these interpretations.*

What would happen if we tried to understand another’s point of view before being understood?  What could we learn from another person’s description that could help us with our own perception?  How could we share information about ourselves that would give the other person insight into our lens and help them understand us?

There is an old saying “There are two sides to every coin.” This means there is always another point of view.  Remember . . . each side of the coin has the same value!

Please contact me with your comments or questions.

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start,
anyone can start from now and make a brand new future.”  

*Choice Magazine, Volume 5 Number 4