This month I was privileged to hear about a single event from two different people. Of course I thought they were talking about two different events - but soon found out that it was merely two different interpretations of the very same event. It didn't surprise me. I have known for a very long time that we each see an event based on our personal set of lenses (our view of the world).
You might think that's ridiculous. A red chair is a red chair - and you don't care who is looking at it, right? Wrong! Facts are facts, right? Wrong! Have you ever had someone tell you that their new shirt was red and when you saw it, you were clear that it was orange?
I was leading a seminar with about 100 participants. I read a very descriptive paragraph about a beautiful cottage in the middle of a forest. I asked the participants if they understood what I had read. They said they had. I asked them to write down what they heard.
The results were startling. Less than 20% recreated what I thought I had read. The interpretations of 80%, while very interesting, were not at all what I expected.
Each of us heard that paragraph though our own filters. It's valuable to realize that we really do see things based on our background, experience, nature, nurturing - based on all the things that make us unique. It's fair to express your opinion, but please make sure that you are clear to those who are listening that it's your view of the situation. And please remember that others may have seen things differently - and nobody's "wrong".
It's also true that "facts are facts". It's just that most of us present points of view as though they were facts. STRIP AWAY THE POINTS OF VIEW AND YOU'LL FIND VERY FEW FACTS.
Haven't you heard people argue for their view as though they were fighting for the truth? And they will fight to the death for that "truth", won't they?
This is a touchy subject (and one that we are advised to avoid). It's just begging to be included here, so please forgive me if you find this offensive. It's just my interpretation of what I've observed.
When I listen to some people who are representing their religions, they speak as though the "know" the truth. And based on how they present "the truth" other religions would have to be wrong. I studied world religions, and based on what I learned, all world religions, at their core, are the same. Why do they sound so different? Could it be that interpretation is being presented as "truth"?
