"Every exit is an entry somewhere else." - Tom Stoppard
"One man's ceiling is another man's floor." - Paul Simon
I guess it's all relative. What for one person, is a door that closes, is to another an amazing opportunity. Perspective has always been something that has fascinated me. I remember listening to one of Paul Simon's songs when he sang of one man's ceiling being another man's floor. I am fascinated by the thought that we all see, experience and perceive things very differently. It is not only our mood on a given day, our historical perspective and our socialization that effect our perception. There are many other factors such as our level of wellness and clarity, our attitude and beliefs.
Another favorite quote of mine is, "to understand a man (woman)-- walk a mile in his shoes." The gift that these quotes have given me is a vast sensitivity to the fact that what I am experiencing side by side in the same room with you at any given moment will be entirely different than what you are experiencing. When I take this thought to a more macro level, I begin to understand people's sensitivities, miscommunications and how wars begin.
How can we each expand our perceptions to take into account the differences and unknowns that our neighbors, friends and perceived enemies are experiencing at any given moment?
Maureen Simon
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